Synthesis and characterization of ultrafine lead zirconate powders

Ultrafine perovskite lead zirconate powders have been prepared via three types of processing routes: conventional solid reaction, conventional coprecipitations using either oxalic acid or ammonia solution as the precipitant, and microemulsion-refined coprecipitations using either oxalic acid or ammonia solution as the precipitant. The microemulsion-derived precursors exhibit a lower formation temperature for orthorhombic PbZrO3 than the conventionally coprecipitated precursors. Ammonia solution appears to be a more attractive precipitant than oxalic acid in reducing the formation temperature for PbZrO3. The microemulsion-derived lead zirconate powders, which are of dimension in the range of nanometers, are much finer in particle size and lower in particle agglomeration than the conventionally coprecipitated powders. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Limited and Techna S.r.l.