Intense blue-light emission from hydrothermally synthesized lead zirconate titanate platelets

Well-crystalline Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ square platelets, with dimensions of about 1 × 0.65 × 0.16 μm³, have been synthesized by hydrothermal method at low temperature. X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman spectrometry, and field emission scanning electron microscope were employed to study the crystal structure and morphologies of the products. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to analyze the elemental composition of the products. The photoluminescence of the products showed a strong narrow blue-light emission at 453 nm and a weak one at 468 nm at room temperature. The possible mechanisms for the blue-light emission are proposed in this report. The photoluminescence of this ferroelectric material is one more interesting property for technological applications.     

A modified two-stage mixed oxide synthetic route to lead zirconate titanate powders

An approach to synthesis lead zirconate titanate [Pb(Zr_1−xTi_x)O₃; PZT] powders with a modified two-stage mixed oxide synthetic route has been developed. To ensure a single-phase perovskite formation, an intermediate phase of zirconium titanate (ZrTiO₄) was employed as starting precursor. The formation of perovskite phase in the calcined PZT powder has been investigated as a function of calcination temperature, soaking time and heating/cooling rates by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The morphology evolution was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) technique. It has been found that the unreacted PbO and ZrTiO₄ phases tend to form together with PZT, with the latter appearing in both tetragonal and rhombohedral phases, depending on calcination conditions. It is seen that optimisation of calcination conditions can lead to a 100% yield of PZT in a tetragonal phase.     

Dip-coating conditions and modifications of lead titanate and lead zirconate titanate films

The modifications of dip-coated lead titanate (PT) and lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films strongly depend on the film thickness and the substrate in addition to the heat-treatment temperature. At 500 to 600 ° C, metastable paraelectric pyrochlore grew on glass plates (amorphous plates) when the thickness of the coated films produced by one coating cycle was below 100 nm, while ferroelectric perovskite formed on crystalline substrates or when thick films were coated on amorphous plates. This tendency is discussed in terms of an inhomogeneous reaction and the epitaxial effect. The perovskite PT films coated on single-crystal SrTiO₃ plate at 700 ° C were strongly oriented to thec-axis.     

Electrodeposition of lead zirconate titanate nanotubes

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanotubes have been grown using porous anodic alumina templates. Sol–gel electrophoretic deposition method was utilized to form the nanotubes on pore walls. The templates were prepared using various anodizing voltages to achieve different pore diameters. Phosphoric acid solution was employed as the electrolyte. Stabilized PZT sols were prepared using lead acetate trihydrate and modified precursors of zirconium and titanium with acetic acid. The filled templates were then sintered at 700 °C. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) shows that tubular PZT arrays have been efficiently grown in the alumina templates. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) further confirms the tubular form and polycrystalline nature of the tubes. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses also confirm the composition of the tubes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra indicate the presence of the perovskite PZT as the main phase.     

Water based gelcasting of lead zirconate titanate

Gelcasting is a novel forming method for making high-quality ceramic parts by means of in situ polymerization where only a few percents of a polymerizable binder are needed. In this article the viscosities of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) suspensions with 15-52 vol.% solids loading were studied. After developing a concentrated PZT suspension with a low viscosity, gelcasting was successfully used to form PZT ceramic parts. Microstructures and piezoelectric properties of gelcast samples derived from suspensions with different solids loading were also investigated in comparison with those of die pressed ones. It was found that gelcast samples exhibited slightly stronger piezoelectric effect than the die pressed ones at the same sintering procedure. Based on the comparison of the density and pore structure results of the samples prepared by these two methods, their different piezoelectricity may be attributed to their microstructure difference.     

Electrohydrodynamic deposition of nanostructured lead zirconate titanate

The deposition of a propanol-based lead zirconate titanate (PZT) sol using electrohydrodynamic atomization (EHDA) in the stable cone-jet mode was investigated. The droplets generated were deposited onto a copper substrate as a film, which was investigated using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The PZT film was shown to contain uniform nano-particles of PZT, which maintained their shape on sintering (650 degrees C, 1 hour) while forming the perovskite phase of PZT.     

Effect of calcination condition on phase formation and particle size of lead titanate powders synthesized by the solid-state reaction

A perovskite-like phase of lead titanate, PbTiO₃, has been synthesized by a solid-state reaction via a rapid vibro-milling technique. Phase formation of the calcined powders has been investigated as a function of calcination temperature, soaking time and heating/cooling rates by DTA and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Moreover, morphology and particle size evolution have been determined via SEM technique, respectively. It has been found that single-phase PbTiO₃ powders were successfully obtained for calcination conditions of 550 °C for 4 h or 600 °C for 1 h with heating/cooling rates of 20 °C/min. Higher temperatures clearly favoured particle growth and the formation of large and hard agglomerates.     

Micropore formation in lead zirconate titanate films

This paper presents an experimental study of the pyrochlore-to-perovskite phase transition in ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films grown on silicon substrates by rf magnetron sputtering and annealed in air or in an inert (argon) atmosphere at temperatures of up to 600°C and atmospheric pressure. Simultaneous thermal analysis results demonstrate that annealing in air leads to release of the latent heat of the phase transition, which is due to the conversion of lead oxide to lead orthoplumbate in the bulk of the PZT film. This transition is accompanied by changes in the densities of the perovskite phase and parent (pyrochlore) phase. In this case, the possibility of phase transformation should be ensured by changes in the volume of the system. The change in the volume of the film leads to the formation of micropores in the bulk of thin PZT films. The micropore size has been determined by scanning electron microscopy, and the phase composition of the films has been assessed by X-ray diffraction. We present experimental evidence that micropore nucleation and growth at the interface between the new and old phases in thin PZT films is due to the difference in density between these phases.     

Colloidal processing of lead lanthanum zirconate titanate ceramics

Well-dispersed aqueous slurries of fine ceramic powders with high solids loading are often required for various shape forming techniques such as slip and tape casting in order to fabricate advanced ceramics with a dense and uniform microstructure. Colloidal processing of lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) powders was conducted at various pH using ammonium polymethacrylate as a dispersant. Suspensions were characterized by viscosity and zeta-potential measurements. The effect of pH on polymer adsorption and the rheological behavior of the slurries were investigated and stabilization mechanisms discussed. Through optimization of the dispersant concentration and pH, solids loadings of the suspensions up to 50 vol.% with a relatively low viscosity were obtained.     

Characterization and microstructure of porous lead zirconate titanate ceramics

Porous lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics are widely used because of their low acoustic impedance, high figure of merit and high hydrostatic sensitivity. In the present work, porous PZT ceramics were fabricated by incorporating polyethylene oxide (PEO) as pore-forming agent. Both PZT powder and PEO were mixed with a binder at different ratios and compaction was carried out. The samples were slowly heated to remove the pore-forming agent and binder without cracks, followed by controlled sintering and electrode forming. Samples were poled using corona poling technique. The ferroelectric properties and microstructure of the prepared ceramics were characterized. The correlation of porosity with microstructure and ferroelectric properties were discussed.     

Low-temperature synthesis of chemically homogeneous lead zirconate titanate (PZT) powders by a semi-wet method

A semi-wet procedure for the synthesis of single-phase Pb(Zr _x Ti_1–x )O₃ powders at 600 °C is described. The ultrafine powders so obtained do not exhibit tetragonal/rhombohedral distortions until they are sintered at higher temperatures. The morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) for these powders, which are chemically homogeneous, lies between x=0.52 and 0.53. For x=0.525, the rhombohedral and tetragonal phases coexist.     

Thermodynamic investigations of the solid solution of lead zirconate - lead titanate

The absolute and relative PbO-vapour pressures of PbTiO₃, PbZrO₂ and their solid solutions are determined at 1300, 923, 723 and 673 K by the dynamic thermobalance method and by EMF-measurements using PbF₂ and Ca-stabilized ZrO₂ as solid electrolytes. Thermodynamic formation data of PbTiO₃ and PbZrO₃ are obtained by extrapolation. The non-ideal behaviour of the solid solution can be successfully described by postulating an ordering equilibrium leading to Pb₄TiZr₃O₁₂ and requiring K = 0.30 (1300 K) [K = 0.02 (923 K)] as equilibrium constants.     

不锈钢衬底上锆钛酸铅膜的制备

以改性二氧化锆为过渡层,用溶胶－凝胶法在不锈钢衬底上成功制备了锆钛比为52／48的锆钛酸铅膜,扫描电镜分析表明,膜的表面平整,无裂纹,X射线分析结果说明,经650℃退火30min后,膜为纯的钙钛矿相,以衬底为下电极、直径为0.32mm的金上电极,测量了0.8μm膜的电滞回线及其它性能,膜的剩余极化为18μC/cm^2。     

Reaction between lead zirconate titanate and yttrium iron garnet

High-temperature sintering of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) + yttrium iron garnet mixtures is accompanied by the formation of cubic yttria-stabilized zirconia. Quantitative phase analysis indicates that PZT loses at least 90% of the ZrO₂. This leads to appreciable changes in the composition of the constituent phases and has an adverse effect on the ME performance of the composite     

Direct precipitation of lead zirconate titanate by the hydrothermal method

Direct precipitation of fine powders of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) in the complete range of solid solution, is investigated under hydrothermal conditions, starting from lead oxide and titania/zirconia mixed gels. The perovskite phase is formed in the temperature range of 165 – 340°C. Sequence of the hydrothermal reactions is studied by identifying the intermediate phases. The initial formation of PbO: TiO₂ solid solution is followed by the reaction of the same with the remaining mixed gels giving rise to X-ray amorphous PZT phase. Further, through crystallite growth, the X-ray crystalline PZT is formed. This method can be extended for the preparation of PLZT powder as well. The resulting powders are sinterable to high density ceramics.     

Sol-solvothermal synthesis and characterization of fine lead zirconate titanate particles

We present a novel low-temperature sol-solvothermal method to synthesize fine lead zirconate titanate (PZT) particles. This sol-solvothermal method combines the advantages of conventional sol–gel process and the solvothermal method, and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) was used as the solvent. The effects of different parameters including KOH concentration, IPA/(IPA + water) ratio and reaction temperature, on the microstructures of the PZT powder were studied. With increasing KOH concentration and reaction temperature, the crystalline structure of as-synthesized PZT transformed from tetragonal to rhombohedral phase. More IPA added in the solvent can effectively reduce agglomeration of the PZT powder and decrease the crystallization temperature, but impurity phase was also detected at high IPA/(IPA + water) ratio. As a result, the synthesis parameters are optimized, and well-crystallized 700 nm PZT particles were successfully synthesized in 2.0 M KOH and 50 % IPA/(IPA + water) ratio at temperatures as low as 120 °C.     

Piezoelectric and mechanical properties of ceria-doped lead zirconate titanate ceramics

Phases, microstructures and properties of lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) ceramics with the compositions Pb(Zr_0.535– Ce Ti_0.465) O₃ where =0.0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.05 were studied. Rhombohedral and tetragonal phases were present at =0.0. The amount of the rhombohedral phase increased with increasing , and only the tetragonal phase was present for >0.001. Thec/a ratio of the tetragonal phase also increases with increasing . Particles of CeO₂ were found to be present in compositions with >0.01, indicating that the solubility of CeO₂ is less than 1a/o on the metals basis. The piezoelectric and electromechanical constants achieved maximum values for =0.001. The hardness increased monotonically with increasing . The modulus of rupture and the fracture toughness, however, went through a minimum and both stayed lower than their values for =0.     

Performance characteristics of smart-materials based on lead zirconate titanate

This paper deals with the characterization of smart-material combinations based on the principle of phase transformation; that may provide drastic change in resistance with a small change in pressure. Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) has been selected as a base material for the development of smart-material combinations and pressure-sensitive devices were fabricated using the same. The devices have been characterized with change in pressure. Both dynamic and static pressures were used for characterization of the devices. Fast switching action i.e. large change in resistance with pressure has been observed and discussed. The reliability tests on the devices have also been performed to establish their long-term stability.     

Sol-hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of lead zirconate titanate fine particles

A novel sol-hydrothermal route to prepare lead zirconate titanate (PZT) fine particles is presented, which combined the conventional sol–gel process and the hydrothermal method. The effects of experimental parameters including sol/(sol + water) ratio, reaction temperature and reaction time on the product powders were investigated. The prepared PZT powders were characterized by XRD, SEM/EDS, and Raman techniques. The results indicated that the optimal synthesis conditions were sol/(sol + water) = 20%, 200 °C, 8 h. The obtained powders with an average particle size of 700 nm, were phase pure perovskite PZT with cubic-shaped morphology, and the reaction temperature was as low as 150 °C, which was comparatively lower than that synthesized by the normal sol–gel route. It was supposed that the sol precursor and hydrothermal environment played important roles in the formation of the PZT fine powders at low temperature and low mineralizer concentration.     

Effect of vibro-milling time on phase formation and particle size of lead zirconate nanopowders

A perovskite phase of lead zirconate, PbZrO₃, nanopowder was synthesized by a solid-state reaction via a rapid vibro-milling technique. The effect of milling time on the phase formation and particle size of PbZrO₃ powder was investigated. Powder samples were characterized using TG-DTA, XRD, SEM and laser diffraction techniques. It was found that an average particle size of 50 nm was achieved at 25 h of vibro-milling after which a higher degree of particle agglomeration was observed upon continuation of milling to 35 h. In addition, by employing an appropriate choice of milling time, a narrow particle size distribution curve was also observed.