Possibility of one-step approach to 0.7PZN–0.3BT multiple ceramics from component constituent oxides

Abstract

0.7Pb(Zn 1/3Nb 2/3)O 3–0.3BaTiO 3 (PZN–BT) ceramics were prepared directly from their constituent oxide mixture via a one-step sintering process without involving the calcination step. Reaction of the oxide mixture was observed to occur at about 800 °C through the expansion of the compact at that temperature. XRD results show that formation of single phase perovskite PZN–BT was achieved at temperatures from 1050 to 1125 °C while the pyrochlore phase appeared at 1150 °C. When sintered at 1125 °C for 1 h, the PZN–BT ceramics produced using the present technique were measured to have a density of ∼99% of the theoretical density, an average grain size of 6.2 μm, a dielectric constant of 2826 and a dielectric loss of 0.03. The present results indicate that it is possible to prepare Pb(Zn 1/3Nb 2/3)O 3-based ceramics via a one-step process.