PREPARATION OF PB(ZR, TI)O-3-PB(NI1 3NB2/3)O-3 SOLID-SOLUTION NB POWDER FROM HYDROTHERMALLY-TREATED PRECURSORS/

Fine Pb(Zr, Ti)O-3-Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O-3 powder was successfully prepared from the hydrothermally-trrated precursors. During the calcination pro cess of the precursors, a pyrochlore phase appeared as an intermediate compound. At elevated temperatures, the Pb(Zr,Ti)O-3-Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O- 3 solid solution having a perovskite phase with a pseudocubic symmetry was formed. The formation rate of the perovskite phase and the morpho logy of the obtained calcined powder were significantly influenced by the starting materials used in the hydrothermal process. By using the precipitates of constituent species as starting materials, the hydroth ermally prepared powder was found to exhibit a better sinterability th an that prepared from the solid-state reaction process.