1. Introduction
Calcium zirconate (CaZrO3) is an important raw material for refractories and advanced ceramics due to its excellent thermal and electrical properties such as high melting point (2340°C), high dielectric permittivity, and low dissipation factor. It is used to manufacture anti-clogging submerged entry nozzles for steel continuous casting1 and chrome-free linings for cement rotary kilns.2 Moreover, it is being developed as an ionic conductor for solid electrodes in fuel cells,3 as a microwave dielectric in multi-layer ceramic capacitors,4 and for various types of sensors.5–7 In addition, CaZrO3-containing composites are promising materials for filters and catalyst substrates.8