Correlations between microstructural and impedance properties of acceptor segregated nanosized lead titanate

The changes in the microstructural and impedance properties of La/Mn modified lead titanate nanoceramic due to the presence of eutectic liquid at low calcination temperature have been studied. The phase formation temperature of the samples is checked by thermogravimetric analysis technique and found to be as low as 400 °C. The tetragonal phase of the compounds is confirmed by High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) technique. Melting of grain boundary by La substitution and segregation of manganese at grain boundary is observed via Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) technique. The impedance plots are used for simultaneous microstructural and electrical characterization of the samples and a good correlation between microstructural and impedance properties of compounds is found.

► Presence of eutectic liquid at low calcinations temperature has been studied.
► The phase formation temperature of the samples is fond as low as 400 °C.
► La substitution melts the grain boundary and increases grain size of PT nanoceramic.
► Segregation of Mn at grain boundary decreases the grain size of the samples.
► A good correlation is found between microstructural and impedance properties.