X-ray, SEM and dielectric studies of Gd-modified sol-gel-prepared lead zirconate-lead titanate solid solution

Polycrystalline samples of (Pb1-zGdz)(Zr0.60Ti0.40)(1-z/4)O-3 (z = 0.07, 0. 08, 0.10) have been synthesized by an acetate-alkoxide sol-gel process. X-r ay diffraction analysis suggests the formation of a single-phase material. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study shows the uniform distribution of grains in the samples. Detailed dielectric studies of the compounds, as a function of temperature (from 30 degrees C to 450 degrees C-) at 10(3) H z and 10(4) Hz, show that the compounds undergo a diffuse phase transition. Diffusivity (gamma) study of phase transition of these compounds provides its value between 1 and 2, indicating the variation of degree of disorderin g in the system. The value of remanent polarization and coercive field decr ease with increase of Gd ion concentration. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.