- Calcium titanate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula CaTiO₃, consisting of calcium (Ca²⁺), titanium (Ti⁴⁺), and oxygen (O²⁻).
- It crystallizes in a perovskite-type structure, which has garnered significant interest in both materials science and solid-state physics due to its unique electrical and optical properties.
- Naturally occurring calcium titanate is known as the mineral perovskite, named after Russian mineralogist Lev Perovski, and it serves as the structural prototype for an entire class of compounds with similar atomic arrangements.
- In its synthetic form, calcium titanate appears as a white to off-white crystalline powder, and it is generally insoluble in water. The perovskite structure it adopts features a cubic or orthorhombic unit cell, depending on conditions such as temperature and impurities. This structure is notable for its flexibility in accommodating different cations, making it ideal for doping and modification, which can dramatically alter its electrical, dielectric, and catalytic behaviors.
- Calcium titanate is best known for its use in electronic ceramics. Thanks to its high dielectric constant and thermal stability, it is utilized in the production of capacitors, resonators, and filters—especially in microwave and radio-frequency (RF) devices. It is also investigated for applications in dielectric resonator antennas (DRAs) and frequency-stable ceramic components. These properties stem from the material’s ability to support ferroelectric or paraelectric behavior, depending on structural modifications and dopant additions.
- Another area of interest for calcium titanate is in photocatalysis and environmental remediation. When exposed to ultraviolet light, calcium titanate exhibits photocatalytic activity, particularly in the degradation of organic pollutants or in hydrogen evolution reactions. Although less efficient than titanium dioxide (TiO₂), doping calcium titanate with certain metal ions can enhance its photocatalytic performance, making it a candidate for solar-driven water splitting and pollution control technologies.
- In biomedical engineering, calcium titanate is explored as a component in bioactive ceramics and coatings for implants. Its biocompatibility and stability in physiological environments make it suitable for use in orthopedic and dental applications, especially when combined with hydroxyapatite or other calcium phosphates to improve bone integration.
- From a synthetic perspective, calcium titanate is typically produced via solid-state reactions involving calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) at high temperatures (~1000–1400°C). Other synthesis methods, such as sol-gel, hydrothermal, and combustion techniques, allow for better control over particle size, morphology, and phase purity—attributes critical to advanced electronics and optical applications.
