PZT 50/50 nanocrystalline powders with tetragonal structure prepared via gel combustion route: effect of heat treatment on phase and chemical compositions

Abstract Comparative structural and thermal investigations of a process of formation of nanocrystalline lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr0.50Ti0.50)O3 (PZT 50/50) powders, with a tetragonal structure, prepared via a gel combustion route under different thermal treatment conditions, were conducted. The thermal behaviour of a gel and an as-formed combustion product (powdered precursor) was studied using TGA/DTA techniques. The XRD study of the powdered precursor calcined at various temperatures, in combination with the TGA/DTA data, resulted in the establishment of the optimal temperature mode for obtaining a single-phase PZT 50/50 nanopowder. A possible mechanism for the formation of the PZT 50/50 phase during gel combustion has been proposed.