Mechanical activation-assisted synthesis of Pb(Fe2/3W1/3)O3

Abstract

Perovskite Pb(Fe2/3W1/3)O3 (PFW) was prepared via a mechanical activation-assisted synthesis route from mixed oxides of PbO, Fe2O3, and WO3. The mechanically activated oxide mixture, which exhibited a specific area of > 10 m2/g, underwent phase conversion from nanocrystalline lead tungstate (PbWO4) and pyrochlore (Pb2FeWO6.5) phases on sintering to yield perovskite PFW, although the formation of perovskite phase was not triggered by mechanical activation. When heated to 700°C, >98% perovskite phase was formed in the mechanically activated oxide mixture. The perovskite phase was sintered to a density of approx. 99% of theoretical density at 870°C for 2 h. The sintered PFW exhibited a dielectric constant of 9800 at 10 kHz, which was approx. 30% higher than that of the PFW derived from the oxide mixture that was not subjected to mechanical activation.