The surface modification of lead zirconate titanate ceramics with phosphate
ester left a phosphorus residue absorved onto the particle surface. During
the sintering processes, this surface layer reacts with the PZT to form le
ad rich compounds, as Pb-3(PO4)(2) and Pb-4(P2O9). The formation of such a
compounds may be the responsible for the grain growth inhibition observed i
n PZT modified ceramics, as well as the lead loss reduction.