Synthesis of microcrystalline BaZrO3 via molecular precursor route

A molecular precursor barium zirconyl oxalate (BZO) was synthesized by exchange reaction between freshly generated water soluble sodium zirconyl oxalate and Ba-nitrate solutions at room temperature. The controlled pyrolysis of BZO in air at 800 °C/6 h resulted in the formation of single-phase cubic microcrystalline barium zirconate powder. These powders exhibit variable-shaped agglomerates with an average size ≍0.2 μm having a surface area ≍2.63 m2/gm.