Molten salt synthesis of lead lanthanum zirconate titanate ceramic powders

Lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (Pb0.95La0.03)(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PLZT) was synthesized by one step molten salt method with the starting materials of PbC2O4, La2O3, ZrO(NO3)2·2H2O and TiO2 in the NaCl–KCl eutectic mixtures in the temperature range of 700–1000 °C. The single phase of (Pb0.95La0.03)(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 powders was prepared at a temperature as low as 850 °C for 5 h. The effects of process parameters, such as soaking temperature and time, salt species, and the amount of flux with respect to the starting materials were investigated. The growth process of the PLZT particles in the molten salt undergoes a transition from a diffusion controlled mechanism to an interfacial reaction controlled mechanism at 900 °C.