Microstructural and optical characterization of PZT nanopowder prepared at low temperature

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanopowders were synthesized by the metal organic and salt precursorʹs sol–gel combustion technique. Single-phase perovskite PZT powders were obtained after heat treatment at temperature of 500 °C. The effects of calcination temperature on lattice parameters and tetragonality of PZT powders have been discussed. The average particles size is estimated to be around 70–80 nm by SEM observations. The absorption coefficient (α) and the band-gap energy (Eg) of the perovskite oxide have been estimated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.