Synthesis of bismuth titanate by citrate method

A simple citrate gel route was adopted for the preparation of bismuth titanate (Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂) powders. Stoichiometric quantities of BiCl₃ and TiOCl₂ were mixed with required amount of citric acid, and the mixture was heated on a water bath. This leads to formation of gel, which was decomposed at 673 K. Formation of bismuth titanate was observed on calcining powders at 973 K by X-ray diffraction studies. The average particle size is found to be 20 nm by microscopy. The room temperature dielectric constant is found to be 175 at 1 kHz. The hysteresis loop parameters were also obtained by home built Sawer-Tower circuit.