Solid-phase synthesis and characterization of ZnO-TiO₂ system

Zinc titanate ceramic powders were synthesized using ZnO and TiO₂ as the starting materials by solid state reaction at the temperature range of 800~900 ℃ for 4 h. The reaction mechanism, microstructures and morphology were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetry -differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The results indicate that the reaction between the oxides starts at above 800 ℃, the cubic Zn₂TiO₄ phase forms easily by increasing the reaction temperature and the hexagonal ZnTiO₃ phase obtains by prolonging the reaction time. The average particle size of zinc titanate spherical particles is about 0.3~0.5 μm, the growth process of which is controlled by diffusion and the influence of adjusting reaction temperature on the morphology turns out to be small.