Preparation of PLZST antiferroelectric ceramics by hydroxide coprecipitation method

An improved coprecipitation method using buffer solution was developed for synthesizing Pb0.97La0.02(Zr0.75Ti0.08Sn0.17)O3 antiferroelectric ceramics. It was found that the perovskite phase was formed when the precursor powders were calcined at 550 °C for 2 h and the average diameter of these particles was less than 100 nm. Moreover, the results showed that when the pH value of the precipitating solution was in the range of 8.9–9.0, in comparison with the ceramics prepared by conventional solid state reaction, the samples synthesized by coprecipitation method had a larger electric field-induced phase transition and higher breakdown strength, which lay a basis for preparing high power energy storage capacitors and pulsed power applications.