Morphology Tuned BaTiO3 Ceramic Sintering: Crystal Facet and Size Distribution

Barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanopowders with various morphologies and crystallinities were successfully prepared by three methods. For each of them, the sintering kinetics of the BaTiO3 ceramics tuned by morphology were correlated to exposed crystal facets, crystallinity, interface curvature and particle size distribution. A highly crystalline particle with flat interface results in a low sintering driving force, and the grain growth proceeds along predetermined growth direction. By contrast, spherical particles with small curvature radius and low crystallinity possess a high sintering driving force, and growth occurs rapidly in all directions. In this latter case, the resulting ceramic presents a large shrinkage and the highest rate of densification. Small particle size with homogeneous size distribution contributes to the ceramic sintering as well. The understanding of the morphology tuned sintering kinetic of BaTiO3 ceramics provides a basis for the fabrication of BaTiO3 transparent ferroelectric ceramics in the future.