Novel synthesis route to make nanocrystalline lead zirconate titanate powder

The present research describes synthesis of perovskite lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanocrystalline mesoporous powders from the aqueous solutions of Pb2+, Zr4+, and Ti4+ metal ions using sucrose as a template material. Sucrose retains the metal ions in solution through complex formation. Dehydration and thermal decomposition of the metal ion-sucrose mass produces a large amount of gas, which helps to create porosity and high surface area in the final products. The particle size of the synthesized powder is between 50 and 60 nm, with a average specific surface area between 20 and 25 m(2)/g. The surface area increases as the amount of sucrose increases. Nanocrystalline PZT powder with high surface area can be useful for low-temperature sintering.