PROPERTIES OF NANOSTRUCTURED MAGNESIUM METATITANATE PREPARED BY THE SOL-GEL TECHNIQUE

Nanometric powders of high purity were produced using alkoxides of mag nesium and titanium as precursors for the sol-gel method. Formation of geikielite from the sol-gel powders was carried out by stepwise heati ng of the sol-gel precipitate, and the progress of the process was fol lowed by XRPD, TGA and DTA. Low temperature treatment of the sol-gel p roducts removed the solvent and led to an amorphous precursor powder. At 370 degrees C crystallization of periclase-spinel (MgO) and incepti on of geikielite formation took place. At 595 degrees C a single phase of geikielite was identified. These temperatures of formation are low er than previously reported values. This product shows a lower sinteri ng temperature and improved dielectric properties after sintering, as compared to magnesium metatitanate produced by calcination of ordinary magnesia and titania powders. Approximately a ten-fold improvement fo r the quality factor Q and a more uniform value of the dielectric cons tant epsilon were attained when using nanostructured powders for sinte ring magnesium metatitanate bodies.