Process for preparing active oxide powders

In the process for preparing sinterable cation oxide powders by dissolving a soluble compound of at least one cation in an aqueous solution to prepare a feed, where the cation is a member selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, magnesium, zirconium and elements 57 through 72 of the Periodic Table of Elements, adding a solution of hydroxyl ion to the feed in an amount sufficient to precipitate the cation as a hydroxide forming an insoluble cation hydroxide gel, drying the gel to form a water-free cation hydroxide, calcining the cation hydroxide in air to form the cation oxide powder and grinding the cation oxide to form a sinterable cation oxide powder, the improvement comprising dewatering the gel prior to drying by contacting the gel alternately with a liquid organic compound having polar characteristics and an organic compound having nonpolar characteristics, said compounds being immiscible with the cation hydroxide and miscible with each other, said compound with polar characteristics being miscible with water, until the gel is dewatered, thereby forming a waterfree cation hydroxide, and contacting the water-free cation hydroxide with a final liquid organic wash, the final wash being immiscible with the cation hydroxide, miscible with the liquid organic compounds and volatile at a temperature below about 100.degree. C., drying the dewatered hydroxide gel, calcining the hydroxide gel in air to form the cation oxide;

• and grinding the cation oxide to a powder, thereby forming a highly sinterable cation oxide powder.