Structural and dielectric characterization of praseodymium-modified lead titanate ceramics synthesized by the OPM route

Quasi-spherical nanoparticles of praseodymium-modified lead titanate powder (Pb0.80Pr0.20TiO3) with an average size of 54.8 nm were synthesized successfully by the oxidant-peroxo method (OPM) and were used to prepare highly dense ceramic bodies which were sintered at 1100 and 1150 °C for 2 h. A tetragonal phase was identified in the powder and ceramic samples by X-ray powder diffraction and FT-Raman spectroscopy at room temperature. The fractured surface of the ceramic sample showed a high degree of densification with fairly uniform grain sizes. Dielectric constants measured in the range of 30–300 °C at different frequencies (120 Hz and at 1, 10 and 100 kHz) indicated that samples with 20 mol% praseodymium showed normal ferroelectric behavior regardless of the sintering temperature.

► Highly reactive nanosized powders of Pb(0.8)Pr(0.2)TiO(3) were obtained by the OPM route.
► Tetragonal phase was observed by X-ray diffraction and confirmed by Raman spectroscopy.
► SEM images showed powders partially sintered with particles of approximately 54 nm.
► Dielectric measurements show a normal behavior for the ferroelectric to paraelectric transition.