Features of Phase Formation of Pyrochlore-type Ceramics Bi2Mg(Zn)1–xNixTa2O9

The phase formation of complex pyrochlores (space group Fd -3 m ) Bi 2 Mg(Zn) 1– x Ni x Ta 2 O 9 was investigated during solid-phase synthesis. It was found that the pyrochlore phase precursor in all cases was α-BiTaO 4 . The pyrochlore phase synthesis reaction proceeds mainly at temperatures above 850–900 °C and consists in the interaction of bismuth orthotantalate with a transition element oxide. The influence of magnesium and zinc on the course of pyrochlore synthesis was revealed. The reaction temperatures of magnesium and nickel (800 and 750 °C, respectively) were determined. The change in the pyrochlore unit cell parameter depending on the synthesis temperature was analyzed for both systems. Nickel–magnesium pyrochlores are characterized by a porous dendrite-like microstructure with a grain size of 0.5–1.0 microns, and the porosity of the samples reaches 20 percent. The calcination temperature does not significantly affect the microstructure of the samples. Prolonged calcination of the preparations leads to the coalescence of grains with the formation of larger particles. Nickel oxide has a sintering effect on ceramics. The studied nickel–zinc pyrochlores are characterized by a low-porous dense microstructure. The porosity of the samples does not exceed 10%. The optimal conditions for obtaining phase-pure pyrochlores (1050 °C and 15 h) were determined.