Preparation and Characterization of Nanocrystalline Nasicon Powders and Thin Films

Abstract

NASICON (Na superionic conductor) is a well-known family of sodium ionic ceramic conductors, with a large range of stoichiometries Na 1+x Zr 2 Si x P 3-x O 12 with 0<x<3. This paper reports the synthesis of nanocrystalline NASICON powders and thin films by two reactive processes. Nanocrystalline NASICON powders were prepared by the auto ignition synthesis. An aqueous solution containing stoichiometric amounts of sodium nitrate, zirconyl nitrate, diammonium hydrogen phosphate, ammonium perchlorate, fumed silica and urea was used. The powders were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Phase formation was determined by XRD analysis. The heat-treated powders were nanocrystalline, with the particle size ranging from 10 to 50 nm as determined by the TEM studies. NASICON thin films were produced by a Combustion Chemical Vapor Deposition (CCVD) technique using the above combustion precursors. The as produced thin films were further characterized by XRD and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).