Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Vol.90, No.8, 2372-2378, 2007
Synthesis, densification, and phase evolution studies of Al2O3-Al2TiO5-TiO2 nanocomposites and measurement of their electrical properties
Alumina-aluminum titanate-titania (Al2O3-Al2TiO5-TiO2) nanocomposites were synthesized using alkoxide precursor solutions. Thermal analysis provided information on phase evolution from the as-synthesized gel with an increase in temperature. Calcination at 700 degrees C led to the formation of an Al2O3-TiO2 nanocomposite, while at a higher temperature (1300 degrees C) an Al2O3-Al2TiO5-TiO2 nanocomposite was formed. The nanocomposites were uniaxially compacted and sintered in a pressureless environment in air to study the densification behavior, grain growth, and phase evolution. The effects of nanosize particles on the crystal structure and densification of the nanocomposite have been discussed. The sintered nanocomposite structures were also characterized for dielectric properties.