Synthesis and Characterization of Ultrafine Lead Zirconate Powders

Abstract

Ultrafine perovskite lead zirconate powders have been prepared via three types of processing routes: conventional solid reaction, conventional coprecipitations using either oxalic acid or ammonia solution as the precipitant, and microemulsion-refined coprecipitations using either oxalic acid or ammonia solution as the precipitant. The microemulsion-derived precursors exhibit a lower formation temperature for orthorhombic PbZrO3 than the conventionally coprecipitated precursors. Ammonia solution appears to be a more attractive precipitant than oxalic acid in reducing the formation temperature for PbZrO3. The microemulsion-derived lead zirconate powders, which are of dimension in the range of nanometers, are much finer in particle size and lower in particle agglomeration than the conventionally coprecipitated powders. © 1998 Elsevier Science Limited and Techna S.r.l.