Synthesis of complex ceramics by mechanochemical activation

Solid state synthesis of three complex ceramics, nickel ferrite, manganese ferrite and strontium bismuth tantalate, by mechanochemical activation in a high energy ball mill was investigated. It was shown that mechanochemical activation prior to reaction synthesis at elevated temperatures is generally beneficial to reduce the necessary synthesis temperature. Synthesis of manganese ferrite occurred even during the ball milling but not to completion. Subsequent heating to complete the synthesis resulted in deterioration of the manganese ferrite back into the constituent oxides. In strontium bismuth tantalate, the other oxides dissolved initially in bismuth oxide during the activation process. © 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.