National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”, Moscow, Russia:

V. V. Сherepov, Postgraduate Student, Department of non-ferrous metals and gold, e-mail: tcherepovv@gmail.com
A. N. Kropachev, Associate professor, Department of non-ferrous metals and gold, e-mail: kan@misis.ru
O. N. Budin, Postgraduate student, Department of non-ferrous metals and gold, e-mail: o.n.budin@gmail.com

This article describes the unique properties of materials belonging to the multiferroics class; it was noted that some compounds of perovskite structure (ABO₃) belong to the class of multiferroics; a brief description of the perovskite structure is given. The paper also includes information on the potential use of multiferroics in various industries. The relevance of the development of rational (economically and environmentally efficient) ways of obtaining multiferroics and studying their properties is revealed. The results of studies on the preparation of europium titanate of perovskite structure (EuTiO₃) by method of europium oxide (Eu₂O₃) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂-rutile) solid-phase sintering in the presence of carbon are given. The results of scientific researches (of this subject area) by authors from different countries are highlighted and compared to the results obtained in this work. A comparative analysis was carried out taking into account the following factors: the conditions of prototypes preparation (presence or absence of mechanical activation, press type and pressing force); conditions of sintering (process temperature, isothermal holding time, use of an inert or reducing atmosphere, atmosphere composition, residual pressure in the working zone of the furnace); used materials and equipment; phase composition of sintering products. The complex of modern analytical methods (automated mineralogical analysis (MLA 650F) and X-ray phase analysis (DRON-4)) of determining the mineral (chemical) phases allowed to state the opportunity of obtaining europium titanate (EuTiO₃) by method of Eu₂O₃ and TiO₂ solid-phase sintering without using gaseous reducing agent (H₂). The optimal composition of the mixture of initial components was also identified and the conditions for sample preparation were selected, which allowed sintering at a temperature of 1200 ^оC and a residual pressure of 6.7–13.3 kPa (50–100 mm Hg).

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