BaTiO3 powders from sol-gel derived gels were prepared using two different drying methods. In addition to the conventional drying of gels in air at 90 degreesC the supercritical CO2 drying method was also used. Results showed that the properties of BaTiO3 powder produced by supercritical drying with CO2 are better. The grain surface is less contaminated as a result of the supercritical drying and the microstructure development during sintering leads to a homogeneous fine-grained microstructure. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.