Synthesizing 0.9PZN-0.1BT by mechanically activating mixed oxides

0.9Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)-0.1BaTiO(3) (0.9PZN-0.1BT) of perovskite structure has be en successfully prepared by mechanically activating mixed oxides of PbO, Zn O, Nb2O5, BaO and TiO2. The novel mechanochemical technique skips the phase -forming calcination step at an intermediate temperature that is always req uired in both the conventional solid state reaction and chemistry-based pre cursor routes. Ultrafine 0.9PZN-0.1BT particles of perovskite structure wer e formed when the constituent oxides were mechanically activated for more t han 10 h. The powder was sintered to a density of 96% theoretical density a t 1100 degrees C for 1 h. The sintered 0.9PZN-0.1BT exhibits perovskite str ucture and a peak dielectric constant of 8800 at the Curie temperature of 6 0 degrees C when measured at a frequency of 100 Hz. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.