Inducing crystallization in an amorphous lead zirconate titanate precursor by mechanical activation

For the first time, crystallization of perovskite lead zirconate titanate (PZT) phase in an amorphous hydrobxide precursor is realized by mechanical activation, instead of calcination at an intermediate temperature. The resulting PZT powder exhibits well-established crystalline perovskite structure with a crystallite size of similar to 20 nm, as indicated from the peak broadening of X-ray diffraction. An average particle size of 30 to 50 nm is observed using transmission electron microscopy for the mechanical-activation-derived PZT powder.