Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
BaTiO3 particles were prepared by heating a suspension of titania derived from the hydrolysis of titanium isopropoxide in a barium hydroxide [Ba(OH)2] aqueous solution. Well-crystallized cubic phase BaTiO3 fine particles were obtained by heating at a temperature >328 K for 24 h. The morphology and size of the obtained particles were affected by the reaction temperature and the Ba(OH)2/titanium alkoxide molar ratio. The secondary particles with a larger size were obtained at a lower reaction temperature. The nucleation process of BaTiO3 depended on the reaction temperature. The formation mechanism of BaTiO3 and the formation kinetics were investigated by measuring the concentrations of Ba2+ ions in the solution during the heating process. The BaTiO3 particle formation occurred on the surface of the titania particles after strong adsorption of the Ba2+ ions from the solution. The experimental results showed that the heterogeneous nucleation of BaTiO3 occurred on the titania surface.