A NOVEL REACTION-PATH TO BARIUM ZIRCONATES BY THE DECOMPOSITION OF PEROXIDE PRECURSORS

Barium zirconate BaZrO3 can be prepared at 900 degrees C with high pur ity using the peroxide method. Large specific surface area and small g rain sizes of the powder lead to high sinterability. A peroxo-precurso r is formed in a first step from aqueous solution. The thermal degrada tion of the X-ray amorphous precursor leads directly to BaZrO3. Ba2ZrO 4 and Ba3Zr2O7 are formed as metastable phases after thermal decomposi tion of corresponding peroxo-precursors at temperatures of about 700 d egrees C.