Study on synthesis of PZT nano-crystalline powders by the modified sol-gel method and the crystalline transition process

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nano-crystalline powders (Zr/Ti = 52/48) were prepared by optimizing the technology process of the modified sol-gel method. Ethylene glycol was used as the solvent, and zirconium nitrate was used as the zirconium source. By studying the technology process factors of the sol-gel, it proved that the gelatination of the sol could be realized by increasing temperature and pH. The formation mechanisms of the sol and gel were discussed through analyzing the IR spectra of the sol. The transition process from gel to PZT nano-crystalline powders was characterized by TG- DTA, XRD, SEM and TEM. The results showed that the modified sol-gel process was easy to control. The full perovskite PZT was obtained after the dry-gel was annealed at 650 °C for 2 h, and the particle size of the PZT crystal was about 50- l00 nm.