Rheological properties of nanosized barium titanate prepared by HGRP for aqueous tape casting

The conditions for the preparation of stable nanosized barium titanate suspensions with high solids content for the production of aqueous tape casting are identified. The rheological behavior of colloidal barium titanate suspension with Ammonium polyacrylate (NH₄-PAA) as a dispersant to aid the powder dispersion has been investigated. Nanosized barium titanate powder was synthesized by a continuous high-gravity reactive preparation (HGRP) technique, and then annealed at 900 °C for 2 h. Measuring the zeta potential, the particle size distributions and ball-milling time, assessed the optimum conditions of the suspension with low viscosity and stability. An isoelectric point (IEP) at pH = 2.8 was found. Particle size distribution tests identified an optimum pH value about 10 and an optimum dispersant addition about 1.2 wt.% (based on the dry powder weight). As the ball-milling time was longer than 8 h, the amount NH₄-PAA adsorbed on the barium titanate reached to saturation. The maximum solid content attained during this work was 45 vol.% at pH of 10, with dispersant addition 1.2 wt.%. High green density value (up to ∼55.4% of the theoretical density) in BaTiO₃ sheet was achieved with a solid content 40 vol.%. After sintering at 1200 °C for 2 h a final density of 95% is reached.