Low temperature chemical synthesis of nanosized ceramic powders

A variety of nanosized (particle dia. < 100 nm) ceramic powders have been prepared from metal ion complex based precursor solutions. The precursor solution was prepared at room temperature from metal hydroxides, nitrates, or acetates mixed with suitable complexing agents such as amines, carboxylic acids, hydroxy carboxylic acids, or poly-hydroxy compounds. Calcination of the precursor mass at low external temperatures produces the nanosized ceramic powders. The examples discussed include perovskites, i.e. lead zirconate titanate PbZRo.6TIo.4O3 (PZT) and lead magnesium niobate PbMG1/3NB2/3O3 (PMN). BC T/385 The authors are in the Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur-721302, India. Manuscript received 16 May 1999; in final form 12 April 2000.