Mechanochemical synthesis of BaTiO3, Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 and Ba2NaNb5O15 dielectric ceramics

In the last years, mechanochemical alloying has been proven to be an important technology for the synthesis of intermetallic compounds. This technology has recently been used as a new route for the synthesis of inorganic compounds. The use of mechanochemical synthesis opens possibilities for the synthesis of complex systems at low temperatures. In this paper we discuss the preparation of the powders BaTiO3, Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 and Ba2NaNb5O15 by mechanochemical synthesis. Phase formation is studied by X-ray powder diffraction. Since partly amorphous powders are obtained the crystallisation behaviour is further investigated by high temperature X-ray powder diffraction. Ceramic pellets have been sintered starting from as-milled powders as well as prefired powders. Microstructure and dielectric properties are characterised.