Citrate route to the piezoelectric Pb(Zr,Ti)O-3 oxide

A homogeneous and stoichiometric Pb(Zr1-xTix)O-3 (x = 0.52; PZT) powder with a particle size of 20-40 nm has been prepared by the citrate route. Solubility isotherms have been calculated for metal-citric acid-water systems at 25 degrees C to predict the optimum pH condition, which was found to be pH = 6.5 for preparing pure and stable citrate complexes. Monodispersive nanometer-sized particles could be obtained by thermal decomposition of the optimally prepared citrate precursor at a temperature as low as 800 degrees C. The crystallization process and particle characteristics of the citrate-derived PZT powder are described in detail along with the preliminary results on the sinterability and piezoelectricity.