Structural characterization of NiTiO3 nanopowders prepared by stearic acid gel method

Pure nickel titanate nanopowders were successfully prepared in wet-chemistry synthesis method, using nickel stearate and tetra-n-butyl titanate as Ni, Ti sources and stearic acid as complexing reagent. The gel was calcined at different temperatures in air ranging from 500 to 750 °C. Results of thermal analysis are given, including both DTG and TG. Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the crystallization process, the particle size and morphology of the calcined powders. The results indicated that nickel titanate nanopowders with particle size between 30 and 65 nm could be obtained after calcinations of the dried gel at 750 °C for 2 h.