Sol-Gel Processing and Novel Physical Properties of PLZT 7/57/43 Ferroelectric Ceramics

Abstract

The sol-gel process was employed to prepare (Pb1-xLax)(Zr1-yTiy)O3(PLZT) ceramics with nominal composition Pb0.93La0.07(Zr0.57Ti0.43)0.9825O3. The structure and physical properties such as dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction results showed that the perovskite phase PLZT was formed when the sol-gel processed powders was calcined at 600°Cfor 4 hours. nanocrystalline particles with a size of ~50nm were found. TG-DTA studies were used to analyze the thermal properties of nanopowders for understanding the reaction kinetics in them. Wafered bulk ceramic samples prepared from the sol-gel derived powders were subjected to electrical measurements, in order to determine the dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties. The dielectric properties of the PLZTBST system are further improved and the dielectric piezoelectric properties of PLZT ceramics are found to be sensitive to the particle size of PLZT nanopowders. The dielectric piezoelectric properties of polarized PLZT ceramics can be improved with the lessening of PLZT nanopowder size. Meanwhile, the grain size of PLZT ceramics decreases.