Synthesis of Complex Materials Single-Source Precursor Approach

Synthesis of Complex Materials Single-Source Precursor Approach 

The driving force in the formation of complex phases is their thermodynamic stability under experimental conditions. When the desired materials have relatively large stability range in relation to both temperature stabiUty and chemical composition, such as alkaline metal rare earth fluorides, M REp4, a variety of precursor systems can be used successfully for their preparation. In particular, metal trifluoroacetates have been successfully used for this purpose [142]. For preparation of micropowders, a successful strategy may be to produce first 

Very few processes using true confirmed single-source precursors have found industrial application. Among the few known examples is the use of BaTiO (0 Bu)4 complex commercialized by Symetrbc Corporation, Colorado [144]. 

When the desired phase is not stable under conditions of solution synthesis such as those of high-temperature superconductors, even application of singlesource precursors does not help to facilitate their formation [141]. 

The suitable alternatives to alkoxide-based precursor systems for titania is the oxo-lactato-titanate of ammonium, the so-called TiBALDH or TALH, stable at neutral pH and capable to produce Ti02 nanoparticles in solution equilibrium at room temperature, and for sihca - the water glass - is the water-soluble sodium silicate that can be converted into pH neutral colloid by action of a buffer [146,147]. 

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