Synthesis of barium-zinc-titanate ceramics

Mixtures of BaCO3, ZnO and TiO2 powders, with molar ratio of 1:2:4, were mechanically activated for 20, 40 and minutes in a planetary ball mill. The resulting powders were compacted into pellets and isothermally sintered at 1250°C for 2h with a heating rate of 10°C/min. X-ray diffraction analysis of obtained powders and sintered samples was performed in order to investigate changes of the phase composition. The microstructure of sintered samples was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The photoacoustic phase and amplitude spectra of sintered samples were measured as a function of the laser beam modulating frequency using a transmission detection configuration. Fitting of experimental data enabled determination of photoacoustic properties including thermal diffusivity. Based on the results obtained correlation between thermal diffusivity and experimental conditions, as well the samples microstructure characteristics, was discussed.