Spherical ferroelectric PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 nanoparticles with high permittivity: Switchable dielectric phase transition with temperature

The spherical ferroelectric PbZr_0.52Ti_0.48O₃ (PZT 52/48) nanoparticles are prepared via simple and environment friendly high temperature solid state method. The crystal structure and morphology of these particles are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). XRD analysis and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern of PZT particles revealed its crystalline nature. The energy involved in the synthesis especially during the initiation and termination processes for the formation of PZT particles is found from the high temperature calorimetric study. These particles are spherical in nature with an average diameter of ≤20 nm. The bulk and surface chemical composition of these particles are investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XPS study reveals that the prepared PZT particles contain titanium ion in two different oxidation states namely Ti³⁺ and Ti⁴⁺. The PZT particles exhibit high permittivity with relatively low dielectric loss. From temperature dependent dielectric analysis, it is seen that there is a switchable dielectric phase transition at or above 80 °C.