Lanthanum zirconate nanoparticles and ceramics produced using a nitrate-modified alkoxide synthesis route

Fine lanthanum zirconate powder was prepared by thermally decomposing a nitrate-alkoxide-based precursor derived from dehydrated lanthanum nitrate, zirconium n-butoxide and 2-methoxyethanol. Upon heating, the decomposition of the organic groups was promoted by the nitrate groups, yielding a porous powder that crystallized into a pyrochlore phase at 800 °C. The powder that was heat treated at 900 °C for 1 h was composed of friable agglomerates of approximately 60-nm-sized nanoparticles. The ceramics obtained from the powder heat treated at 900 °C and milled for 30 min reached a relative density of 97.9 % after sintering at 1,400 °C for 10 h, which is at least 100 °C lower than the typically reported temperatures for this material.