SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MTIO(3) (M=MG, CA, SR, BA) SOL-GEL

Multiple oxide titanates have been prepared via the sol-gel method by the reaction of an alcoholic solution of titanium n-butoxide, Ti(OC4H9 )(4), with nitrate solutions, M(NO3)(2) (M=Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba), at room te mperature. The amorphous gels so obtained under acidic conditions were calcined at temperatures between 700 and 900 degrees C to obtain high -purity, crystalline MTiO(3) powders. The samples were characterized b y powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning (SEM) and energy-dispersive electron microscopy, thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) and BET surface area measurements. The stability and la rge surface area obtained for the Sr and Ba compounds make them suitab le for use as catalyst supports.