In this paper, we put forward a novel and simple chemical route for the preparation of fine ceramic oxides i.e. ferrites using triethylammonium carbonate as the precipitating agent. The particles were studied and characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The emphasis is on the superiority of this technique over other chemical and conventional routes.

Precursors to MFe₂O₄ [spinels ferrites; where M = Ni(II), Co(II) and Zn(II)] have been prepared by the evaporation of polyvinyl alcohol added mixed metal nitratesolution, in presence and absence of urea. Theprecursor materials have low ignition temperature and are spontaneously combustible at low temperatures (250°C to 400°C). The heat liberated through the process is sufficient for the crystallization of the desired ferrite phase. The urea added process resulted in finer, superparamagnetic particles (12–17 nm) compared to the process without urea (particle size 25–30 nm). The ultrafine ferrite powders obtained have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy (IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and room temperature magnetic measurement studies.

Sr_𝑥Ba_1–𝑥Nb₂O₆ (with 𝑥 = 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6) powders have been prepared by thermolysis of aqueous precursor solutions consisting of triethanolamine (TEA), niobium tartarate and, EDTA complexes of strontium and barium ions. Complete evaporation of the precursor solution by heating at ∼ 200°C, yields in a fluffy, mesoporous carbon rich precursor material, which on calcination at 750°C/2 h has resulted in the pure SBN powders. The crystallite and average particle sizes are found to be around 15 nm and 20 nm, respectively.