Chemical Synthesis of Pure and Gd-doped CaZrO 3 Powders

Abstract

Aqueous solutions of calcium chloride (CaCl 2. 2H 2O) and zirconium oxychloride (ZrOC1 2.8H 2O), in appropriate volumetric amounts, were used as the starting chemicals in the synthesis of phase-pure CaZrO 3 powders. Rare earth element dopings (up to 25 at%) were performed by using the aqueous chloride solutions of gadolinium (Gd). Formation of CaZrO 3 powders were achieved by two different chemical synthesis techniques: (i) self-propagating combustion synthesis, and (ii) precipitation in the presence of EDTA by the technique of acid-base titration. Sample characterization was performed by powder XRD (X-ray diffraction) and SEM (scanning electron microscope).