A novel Co-ions complexation method to synthesize pyrochlore La2Zr2O7

Pure pyrochlore Lanthanum zirconate (LZ) was synthesized by co-ions complexation method (CCM) at 1300   °C, which is 300   °C lower than that by solid-state method (SSM). At 1450   °C, the LZ prepared by CCM possessed lower thermal conductivity (1.15   W/m   K) than that obtained by SSM (1.99   W/m   K). This significant decrease may be caused by the different grain size, which is 300   nm and 2.5   μm synthesized by CCM and SSM, respectively. LZ precursor was belt-shaped and the belt shorten and the grain grown with the temperature increasing. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggested the solidification in CCM forms from the complexation between La 3+ , Zr 4+ and CH 3 COO − , which is the key for solidification. Compared to SSM, CCM is a lower temperature and simpler technology to synthesize nano-size LZ and other rare-earth oxides .