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Abstract: Ba0.55Sr0.45TiO3 (BST) precursors were synthesized via a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) modified sol-precipitation route. And the obtained precursors were then calcined in air at temperatures ranging from 400 to 800 °C. The formation mechanism of BST phase was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), while the effect of PVA on the particle morphology of the BST phase was studied by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the introduction of PVA significantly affects the morphology of the BST powders. High purity nanocrystalline powders were synthesized by calcination of the BST precursors encapsulated by PVA gel, with narrow particle distribution (30–80 nm) and being nearly free of agglomeration. While, large particles (40–170 nm) with evident agglomeration were obtained from the solution without PVA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]