Preparation of Y2Ti2O7 pyrochlore using high-energy ball milling and their structural, thermal and conducting properties

Pyrochlore-structured materials are very important materials due to their structural and conducting properties. These properties can be further modified by changing processing conditions. In the present study, pyrochlore (Y2Ti2O7) is synthesized using high-energy ball milling. During various stages of ball milling, the ball-milled powder is taken for investigating the structural and thermal properties. The replacement of Ti2O3 by TiO2 in nominal composition leads to lower ball milling duration to form Y2Ti2O7. Differential thermal analysis showed the single exothermic peak below 800 °C, which indicates formation of disordered pyrochlore phase. The as prepared powders (40-h ball milled) were compacted and heat treated at 1,450 °C for 12 h. The conductivity of sintered sample is found to be one order higher than earlier reported pure Y2Ti2O7 pyrochlore.