Fabrication of BaTi₄O₉ nanopowder doped with Pr in liquid-phase

BaTi₄O₉ nanopowder doped with Pr element was prepared by sol-gel method using Ba(CH₃COO)₂ and Ti(OC₄H₉)₄ as raw materials. In the process of sol, Pr element was in the form of ions. After discussing the influence on the process of fabrication, the rational technique was concluded as follows: methoxyethanol was as solvent, pH = 3.5-3.8, molar ratio of water/alkocide = 30-50, hydrolysis temperature was 50°C and stirring time was 8 h. After gel was calcined at 1200°C for 1 h, the nearly globular nanopowder of 30 nm in size was well prepared. The XRD analysis showed that the product was single-phase BaTi₄O₉, but the d value and the crystal constant of the powder were less than those of normal BaTi₄O₉.