Structural and morphological characteristics of polycrystalline BaTiO3:Er3+, Yb3+ ceramics synthesized by the sol–gel route: influence of chelating agents

• Published in: Journal of sol-gel science and technology 2010, Vol.53 (1), p.121-133
• Main Authors: García Murillo, A., Carrillo Romo, F. J., García Hernández, M., Ramírez Salgado, J., Domínguez Crespo, M. A., Palomares Sánchez, S. A., Terrones, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Barium titanates; Ceramics; Chelating agents; Chelation; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Colloidal gels. Colloidal sols; Colloidal state and disperse state; Composites; Crystal structure; Crystallization; Erbium; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Glass; Inorganic Chemistry; Materials Science; Nanotechnology; Natural Materials; Nucleation; Optical and Electronic Materials; Original Paper; Particle size; Perovskites; Reagents; Sol-gel processes; Thin films; Ytterbium
• ISSN: 0928-0707; 1573-4846
• DOI: 10.1007/s10971-009-2069-0

The preparation of a co-doped BaTiO 3 :Er, Yb compound was investigated using alkoxide precursors. The complex alkoxide was hydrolyzed under specific conditions using chelating agents [(AcAc)H and H–(OAc)], and nano-size powders and films of perovskite compounds were obtained. The nanostructure materials were formed through nucleation-aggregation growth. Through a comparison of co-doped BaTiO 3 :Er, Yb compounds (with and without chelating agents), important differences in shape and size of the particles were found. In addition, the use of chelating agents during the sol–gel process allowed us to obtain optical BaTiO 3 :Er, Yb thin films. The results suggest that the particle size and shape can be tailored in the current system by manipulating the simultaneous use of chelating agents and the crystallization temperature. Consequently, a wide range of particle size has an effect on the crystal structures.