ROLE OF DIMETHYLDIOCTADECYL AMMONIUM CHLORIDE (DiDAC) AS CATIONIC SURFACTANT ON THERMAL DECOMPOSITION AND PHASE FORMATION OF Ba(Ce,Zr)O3 CERAMIC POWDERS

Abstract

Ceramic powder of BaCe_0.54Zr_0.36Y0.1O_2.95 (BCZY) was synthesized via a modified sol- gel method using metal nitrate salts as precursors. Imethyldioctadecylammonium chloride (DiDAC), citric acid (CA) and ethylene glycol (EG) was employed as a cationic surfactant, chelating agent and polymerization agent, respectively. The prepared samples were designated as S1 (without surfactant) and S2 (with surfactant) and characterized by the thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). S2 exhibited lower thermal decomposition temperature (Ttd) compared to S1, since there was no significant weight loss after 740 ºC as proven by TGA result. The reduction in Ttd of S2 might due to the presence of hydrocarbon chain in surfactant molecules that act as fuel and helps in the combustion process. XRD result showed the formation of single-perovskite phase of Ba(Ce,Zr)O₃ for both of the samples after they were calcined at T= 1000 ºC (S2) and at T= 1100 ºC (S1). However, the addition of DiDAC did not give any significant effect on the unit cell volume of BCZY.