Characterization of Hydrothermally Synthesized PLZT for Pyroelectric Applications

Abstract

PLZT fine powders have been synthesized by a hydrothermal process using lead acetate, lanthanum acetate, zirconium n-propoxide and titanium isopropoxide as starting materials. The synthesis was performed at 200°C for 8, 12 and 24 h. 4 M KOH was used as a mineralizer to adjust the pH to an optimum value for the mixed precursor solution. After hydrothermal treatment the solid portion was separated out, washed and dried at 100°C for 12 h, where PLZT fine powders were obtained. PLZT powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The PLZT powders were pressed and sintered to obtain high density ceramics, which then were investigated by XRD and SEM. The dielectric properties of the ceramics were investigated by measurements of dielectric constant and dielectric loss as a function of temperature at a fixed frequency.