Study of (Bi4-xLax) Ti3O12 powders and ceramics prepared by sol-gel method

La-modified (Bi4-xLax)Ti3O12 (abbreviated as BLT) powders were prepared by sol-gel processing methods. The powders were characterized by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and laser-diffraction particle-size analysis. The (Bi4-xLax)Ti3O12 ceramics were prepared from the powders and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicate that the sol-gel method can be used to prepare nanometer powder for the new types of BLT ferroelectric ceramics. The solid reaction of BLT powders occurs at 730degreesC approximately resulting in the growth of BLT grain. The average grain size may be varied in the range 60-500 nm, depending on the calcination temperature of the powders. The (Bi4-xLax)Ti3O12 ceramics prepared from the powders were polycrystalline materials with completely monoclinic (Bi4-xLax)Ti3O12 phase.