Study on synthesis of Nd³⁺ doped lead zirconate titanate nanopowders by sol-gel methods

Nd³⁺ doped Lead zirconate titanate nanopowders Pb_1-3x/2Nd_xZr_0.52Ti _0.48O₃(PNZT) were prepared by the modified sol-gel methods. Ethylene glycol was used as solvent, neodymium nitrate was used as Nd³⁺ source. The reaction mechanisms of nanopowder preparing process from the Sol were discussed through using FTIR, XRD, TG-DTA, and it was proved that the heating temperature of PNZT was 50-100°C higher than PZT. PNZT lattice structure was characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM. Results show that the lattice aberrance of PNZT was increased with Nd³⁺ doping. Comparing with PZT, the constant a and V of PNZT were decreasing with the addition of Nd³⁺, but the c and c/a were increasing with a few Nd³⁺ doping and then were decreasing gradually with the addition of Nd³⁺. If Nd³⁺%≥9%(mol), perovskite PNZT nanopowders which particle size is about 20-50 nm could be formed. Nd³⁺ replaced Pb²⁺ of PZT and formed steady perovskite crystal with Ti⁴⁺ and 0²⁺.