Synthesis of PLZT powders via a molecularly modified precursor route

Abstract

A new aqueous metallo-organic precursor, namely, lead lanthanum zirconyl titanyl oxalate (PLZTO) has been developed using complexes of Pb 2+, La 3+, Zr 4+ and Ti 4+ with required stoichiometry. Controlled pyrolysis of the PLZTO precursor at sufficiently low temperatures ( T ≈ 525° C) in air resulted in cubic powders of lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT). Thermal analysis (DTA/TG/DTG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), micro- and chemical analysis, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and IR studies were used to characterize the precursor and resulting PLZT powder. The dielectric ( K, tan δ) and ferroelectric ( P s , E C ) properties of the sintered compacts were measured at room temperature.