Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 based ceramics prepared by solution processing

Niobium and iron doped stoichiometric PZT ceramics (Zr/Ti 53/47, 2 at.% of dopant) were prepared by alkoxide-based solution processing. Sintering of both doped materials is severely inhibited in comparison to undoped PZT. TEM analysis of the ceramics, sintered at 1100 °C, revealed only a perovskite phase in the case of niobium doped PZT while the iron doped material contains entrapped zirconia particles and lead-enriched inclusions in the PZT matrix.