Phase Formation and Morphology of PbZrO3-Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3 Powders Via a Columbite Precursor Synthetic Route

Abstract

The powder in PZ-PNN system with formula (1-x)PbZrO3-xPb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3 with x=0.0-0.5, are synthesized via the columbite precursor technique. The formation of the perovskite phase in the calcined powders has been investigated as a function of calcination conditions by TG-DTA and XRD techniques. Moreover, morphology and particle size evolution have been determined via SEM technique, respectively. The complete solid solutions of perovskite phase of PZ-PNN ceramics were obtained over a wide compositional range. It was observed that for the binary system (1-x)PbZrO3-xPb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3, the change in the calcinations temperature is approximately linear with respect to the PNN content in the range x=0.0-0.5. With an increase in x, the calcinations temperature shifts up to high temperatures. It is seen that optimization of calcination conditions can lead to a 100% yield of PZ-PNN in a pseudo-cubic phase.