Synthesis and Characterization of Ta Doped Nanostructured PZT

Abstract

Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) powder of composition Pb(Zr_0.65Ti_0.35)O₃ was modified by incorporation of Tantalum (Ta⁵⁺) in a wide composition range (5–25 at%) by chemical co-precipitation method using PbO, Zr₂O₃, TiO₂ and Ta₂O₅. X-ray diffraction patterns of the samples showed the formation of a single phase and confirmed the formation of a rhombohedral phase of all the samples after sintering. SEM analysis showed well-developed, uniformly packed grains. Both the linear particle size and the grain size were found to decrease with Ta doping. In dielectric studies, the transition temperature was found to decrease whereas ε is found to increase with the increasing concentration of Ta. All these results suggest that this Ta PZT may be suitable for device applications.