Synthesis of Pb 1− xR xZr 0.65Ti 0.35O 3 ( x = 0.05, 0.10 and 0.15; R = Ce, Pr and Nd) powders by Gel Entrapment Technique and study on their thermo-physical and electrical properties

Abstract

Rare earth doped lead zirconate titanate of composition (Pb 1− x R x Zr 0.65Ti 0.35)O 3 where x = 0, 0.10 and 0.15 and R = Ce, Pr and Nd was prepared by Gel Entrapment Technique (GET). The gel was suitably calcined at 1073 K and the resultant product was characterized by XRD, SEM, BET surface area analysis and Dynamic Light Scattering. The dielectric constants of PZT were found to decrease with Ce doping where as it increased with Pr doping. The pyrochlore phase in Nd doped samples was found to be responsible for lower conductivity and dielectric constant values. The redox behaviour of the compounds was studied by TPR–TPO measurements.