Materials Research Bulletin, Vol.43, No.6, 1573-1582, 2008
Role of glycine-to-nitrate ratio in influencing the powder characteristics of La(Ca)CrO3
Ultrafine La(Ca)CrO3 (LCC) powders were prepared through glycine-nitrate gel combustion process. The effect of glycine-to-nitrate ratio on batch size, particle size, nature of agglomeration and densification was studied. As-prepared powders when calcined at 700 degrees C resulted in LCC along with a small amount of CaCrO4. The primary particle size obtained in case of stoichiometric and fuel-rich precursor was found to be 25-60 and 60-180 nm, respectively. It was found that the final powder had softer agglomerates with increasing glycine-to-nitrate ratio, which in turn improved the sintered density. The powder obtained through fuel-rich precursor could be sintered to approximate to 98% of its theoretical density at 1300 degrees C without applying any ball milling operation. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.