Nanoparticles of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) used as ferroelectric ceramics produced by sol–gel acetic-acid route

The aim of this work was to synthesize lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanopowder using a modified sol–gel processing method. PZT obtained by a sol–gel route using acetic acid had compositions in the morphotropic phase boundary (Ti/Zr, 53/47 and 45/55). All samples were annealed in air at 800 °C and sintered at temperature above 1,000 °C. Structure and morphology of the samples were determined and characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, dilation, densification and pyroelectric response. Results of X-ray diffraction on samples PZT showed a phase, but not a pyrochlore one, which we determined to be the best pyroelectric response. The samples presented high densification and had appropriate characteristics when used as pyroelectric sensors. Ceramics with a composition of 53/47 had the best pyroelectric response. An average particle size of 20 nm was measured using TEM.