Effect of sintering temperature on densification and dielectric properties of Pb(Zr<inf>0.44</inf>Ti<inf>0.56</inf>)O<inf>3</inf>ceramics

Abstract

In this study, lead zirconate titanate (Pb(Zr0.44Ti0.56)O3) ceramics were fabricated with a mixed oxide synthetic route of lead oxide (PbO) and zirconium titanate (ZrTiO4) precursors. The effects of sintering temperature on phase formation, densification and dielectric responses of the ceramics have been investigated using XRD, SEM, EDX and dielectric measurement techniques. The densification of the PZT ceramics with density of 97% theoretical density can be achieved with appropriate sintering condition without any sintering additives. The optimized sintering condition has been identified as 1225°C for 4 h. More importantly, the dielectric properties are found to improve with increasing sintering temperature and grain size. However, when sintered over 1250°C, the dielectric properties of the ceramics are seen to deteriorate as a result of PbO vaporization, ZrO2segregations and porosity. © World Scientific Publishing Company.