Influence of seed particle frequency on the phase formation and on the microstructure of 0.88 PZN-0.07 BT-0.05 PT ceramic

The Pechini method as well as the simultaneous addition of seeds particles and dopant solutions of BaTiO3 (BT) and PbTiO3 (PT) were used to prepare th e perovskite phase 0.88 PZN-0.07 BT-0.05 PT. To study the influence of seed particle frequency on the synthesis of the PZN ceramic, two ranges of seed particle size were used: the range from 30 to 100 nm, termed small seed pa rticles (frequency of 10(15) particles/cm(3)); and the range from 100 to 90 0 nm, termed large seed particles (frequency of 10(13) particles/cm(3)). Th e crystalline nuclei size influenced the calcining process, the sintering p rocess and the microstructure. Samples prepared with lower seed frequency d isplayed more amount of pyroclore phase, need higher temperatures for sinte ring and showed a more heterogeneous microstructure with poor dielectric pr operties. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd and Techna S.r.l. All rights reserv ed.