Optical and structural characterization of SrZr0,1Ti0,9O3

In this work, the ceramic compound SrTi0.90Zr0,1O3 (SZT) was synthesized by the citrate method. This solid showed a 12 nm crystallite size, reflecting the high degree of crystallinity obtained by this synthesis route. Differential and gravimetric thermal analysis showed that the solid was formed from 520 °C; the chemical composition was determined by ICP–AES4, giving a stoichiometry corresponding to the SrTi0.90Zr0.10O3 formula, and proved to be compatible with the X-ray diffraction data, refined by the Rietveld method. The morphology was explored by means of SEM and TEM, finding a homogenous particles distribution, arranged in lumps, susceptible to density changes by sintering between 1000 °C and 1200 °C. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum shows a band between 470 nm and 520 nm, corresponding to the Ti and Zr ions 3d electronic transition. The SZT crystal structure is tetragonal with space group I4/mcm, number (140).