Effect of calcination temperature on the microstructure and morphology of Bi_3.25la_0.75Ti₃O₁₂ powders synthesized from polymerized precursors

Lanthanum-modified bismuth titanate, Bi_3.25La _0.75Ti₃O₁₂ (BLT), powders were prepared from polymerized precursors using citric acid as a chelating agent and ethylene glycol as an esterification agent. The effect of calcination temperature on the microstructure and morphology of powders were studied. It was shown that the pure and normally stoichiometric phase of BLT powders could be obtained at relative low temperature from 550° to 700°C even if the bismuth content is not excess in the starting precursors while the secondary phase could be detected at both lower and higher calcination temperatures. The shape of the BLT grains is also strongly influenced by the calcination temperature.