Preparation Method and Cation Dopant Effects on the Particle Size and Properties of BaCeO3 Perovskites

Perovskite-type BaCeO 3 has been investigated to study the effects of preparation method and cation doping on the particle size and sintering in the fabrication of dense perovskite membranes. A variety of preparation methods including solid-state reactions, coprecipitation, microemulsion, and molten salt reactions have been studied. In coprecipitation and microemulsion preparations, perovskites were formed at significantly lower temperatures than that required in a solid-state preparation. The pH of the reactant solutions has been found to greatly affect the particle size and agglomeration of BaCeO 3 perovskites. Smallest perovskite particles with sizes of 40-60 nm were obtained by the microemulsion preparation with minimal agglomeration. Transition metal dopants such as neodymium and manganese cations were doped into BaCeO 3 and their effects on the particle size and agglomeration of perovskite particles investigated. Both small particle size and cation doping significantly helped the sintering of perovskites.