Microwave effects in lead zirconium titanate synthesis: Enhanced kinetics and changed mechanisms

A novel, simple, and fast solid-state procedure has been demonstrated for t he synthesis of Pb(Zr,Ti)O-3 (PZT), using microwave radiation. The process consists of starting with the respective oxides mixed in the required propo rtions and exposing the charge to the microwaves, By making one or more of the constituent oxides slightly nonstoichiometric, enormous enhancement in reaction rates has been achieved, and single-phase PZT can be synthesized a t temperatures as low as 600 degreesC, Moreover, it has been shown that the combined use of nonstoichiometric precursors and microwave irradiation lea ds to different reaction pathways for the formation of PZT, Further, the mi crowave method diminishes PbO loss.