A preliminary investigation of the molten salt mediated synthesis of Gd₂TiO₅ ‘stuffed’ pyrochlore

Refractory ‘stuffed’ pyrochlores such as Gd₂TiO₅ are of interest for nuclear applications, including as matrices for actinide disposition and as neutron absorbers in control rods. Here, we report the results of a preliminary comparative investigation of the synthesis of Gd₂TiO₅ by molten salt and conventional solid-state synthesis. We show that synthesis of Gd₂TiO₅ proceeds from the pyrochlore phase Gd₂Ti₂O₇ which is first formed as a kinetic product. Molten salt synthesis afforded single phase Gd₂TiO₅ at 1300 °C in 2 h, via a template growth mechanism, and is effective for the synthesis of these refractory materials. This work demonstrates molten salt mediated synthesis of ‘stuffed’ pyrochlore for the first time.