Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline PZT powders

PZT with a composition of Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O-3, which is near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) was selected in the present study. Nano-sized lead zirconate titanate (PZT) powders were synthesized via hydrothermal synthesis rout. All starting materials are analytical grade and used without further purification. Stoichiometric amounts of lead nitrate [Pb(NO3)(2)], zirconium nitrate hydrate [Zr(NO3)(4)center dot 5H(2)O], tetra-butyl titanate [Ti(OC4H9)(4)] were used as raw materials and NaOH as the mineralizer. They were mixed and put into a Teflon-lined autoclave of 50 mL capacity filled up to 70% of its capacity. The autoclave was maintained at 170 similar to 270 degrees C for 2 h, and then cooled to room temperature in icy water. The precursors and hydrothermal-treated powders were characterized by XRD and SEM. PZT phase started to form at a soaking temperature of as low as 220 degrees C for 2 h, while phase-pure PZT powders were obtained at 270 degrees C for 2 h. The PZT powder consists of single-phase perovskite nanocrystals with an average size of 25 nm.