| abstract |
A method for making ceramic titanate elements and materials therefor, particularly semiconducting lanthanide-doped barium titanate elements having positive temperature coefficients of resistance for use as solid-state sensors or the like, is shown to comprise the steps of dissolving the titanium chelate of triethanolamine with selected alkaline earth salts such as barium acetate and with selected lanthanide salts such as lanthanum acetate in a solvent to form a common solution. Alternatively, tetraisopropyl titanate mixed with lactic acid is combined with selected alkaline earth salts such as barium acetate and with selected lanthanide salts such as lanthanum acetate in a solvent to form a common solution. The solution is then heated, initially to form a semisolid material and thereafter-in an oxidizing or neutral atmosphere-to calcine the semisolid material to form the desired titanate material. The resulting titanate material is then combined with a binder, is pressed into a desired shape, and is fired at high temperature to form the desired ceramic titanate elements. |