Abstract
Microstructure control of BaTiO3/Ag composite was examined from the preparation stage of Ag-deposited BaTiO3 particles. Uniform BaTiO3 particles were prepared by hydrothermal treatment of a hydroxide gel. Then Ag nanoparticles were deposited uniformly on the BaTiO3 particle surface by the reduction of diamminesilver (I) ions using glucose. Dense BaTiO3/Ag composites were obtained respectively via pressureless sintering and spark plasma sintering of the Ag-deposited BaTiO3 particles. Although the BaTiO3 and Ag particles grew well after pressureless sintering, their grain growth was suppressed by spark plasma sintering. The Vickers hardness and dielectric constant of the composites were much higher than those of the monolithic BaTiO3 sintered body.
