Formation of new structural states in compressed BaTiO3 nanopowders

The structural changes in BaTiO3 nanocrystal powder and tablets have been probed via X-ray diffraction, scanning electron and transmission microscopy, and differential calorimetry after successive hightemperature annealing in air. It is shown that, beginning with the annealing temperature of 1200A degrees C, significant amount of the Ba2TiO4 phase forms in the tablets together with the BaTiO3 phase. This phase is equilibrium one; it practically vanishes when the annealing temperature decreases to 700-600A degrees C; and this phase practically restored to the initial state when the annealing temperature is again increased to 1200A degrees C. Annealing the powders causes no formation of new phases, but an increase in their crystallite sizes. A probable reason of the emergence of Ba2TiO4 phase in tablets and its absence in free powder is discussed, as well.