Formation and transformation of ZnTiO3 prepared by sol-gel process

ZnTiO3 powders with pure hexagonal phase were prepared by the sol-gel process with Zn(NO3)(2) - 6H(2)O and Ti(OC4H9)(4) materials. The thermal behavior and phase transformation of the gels were investigated by the differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetry (DSC-TG) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, Fourier-transforming infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and Raman scattering spectroscopy. The results revealed that pure hexagonal phase of ZnTiO3 could be obtained at low temperature of 800 degreesC. However, in further increased temperature above 900 degreesC, hexagonal ZnTiO3 would decompose into cubic Zn2TiO4 and rutile TiO2. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.