Low-temperature processing and characterization of single-phase PZT powders by sol-gel method

• Published in: Journal of materials science 2007-12, Vol.42 (23), p.9801-9806
• Main Authors: Bel Hadj Tahar, Radhouane, Bel Hadj Tahar, Noureddine, Ben Salah, Abdelhamid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building materials. Ceramics. Glasses; Ceramic industries; Chelation; Chemical industry and chemicals; Crystallization; Electrotechnical and electronic ceramics; Exact sciences and technology; Ferroelectric materials; Ferroelectricity; Firing; Formulations; Heat treatment; Lead; Lead zirconate titanates; Line broadening; Low temperature; Materials science; Organic chemistry; Perovskites; Phase boundaries; Sol gel process; Sol-gel processes; Technical ceramics; Thermal analysis; X-rays
• ISSN: 0022-2461; 1573-4803
• DOI: 10.1007/s10853-007-1966-2

A new sol-gel system using acetoin was developed and employed for the fabrication of PZT powders and films with compositions near the morphotropic phase boundary Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3. Acetoin was used as chelating agent to replace the highly toxic methoxyethanol used in previous formulations. This route simplified the chemical processing of PZT-based solutions. Powders were completely crystallized by about 450 °C and contained the ferroelectric perovskite single phase. The firing temperature and time were to be the most important variables. Metallic lead formed only when excess Pb was incorporated. The precursor and the heat-treated powders have been characterized by using thermal analysis and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) studies. The average particle size, as measured from X-ray line broadening, was ∼35 nm.