A modified citrate precursor method, combining the advantages of the nitrate autocombustion method by introducing the nitric acid, was successfully used to synthesize ultrafine Ba0.70Sr0.30TiO3 powders. Slight agglomerated and homogenized BST powders, with an average particle size of 20 nm, were obtained at 800 degrees C. Combining the results of TG/DTA and XRD, it can be concluded that the formation of BST powders takes place via two reaction mechanisms: decomposition of an intermediate oxycarbonatc mechanism (DIOm) at low temperature, and solid-state reaction mechanism (SSRm) between nanocrystalline carbonates and amorphous TiO2 at high temperature. TEM shows higher amount of CA led to BST powders of better quality in morphology. Based on results of chemical analysis, it is suggested that higher amount of CA drives the mechanism to tend to DIOm. By simply adjusting the ratio of reagents, the reaction mechanism can be dominated and we can greatly control the final morphology of the powders. (C) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.