SYNTHESIS OF MAGNESIUM STANNATES BY THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF PEROXO-PRECURSORS

Magnesium orthostannate Mg2SnO4 can be synthesized at 900-degrees-C wi th high purity using the peroxide route. The powder shows large specif ic surface area and small grain size, leading to high sinterability. A peroxo-precursor is formed during the synthesis by a precipitation st ep from aqueous solution. The thermal decomposition of the X-ray amorp hous precursor leads directly to Mg2SnO4. Magnesium metastannate MgSnO 3 is formed after thermal degradation of a corresponding peroxo-precur sor at temperatures below 700-degrees-C. Further thermal treatment at temperatures above 700-degrees-C leads to the decomposition of MgSnO3 to Mg2SnO4 and SnO2.