Ultrafine PZT based ceramics synthesized by auto-ignition of metal–polymer gel: Enhanced sinterablity and higher remnant polarization

PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 (PZT) nanoparticles within the size range 1–8 nm were synthesized by auto-ignition of metal–polymer gel in single step without any calcination. The auto ignitable gel was obtained by adjustment of nitrate/polymer molar ratio. The amount of the carbonaceous residue in the as-ignited powder was negligible. The as-ignited ultrafine PZT powders showed excellent sinterability and were sintered directly to about 96% of the theoretical density at 1000 °C without any further calcination. Dielectric loss of the sintered PZT sample at room temperature was very low and increased very slowly up to 300 °C, which is advantageous for dielectric application point of view. The measured value of remnant polarization of the 1100 °C-sintered sample was 54.2 μC/cm2, which is considerably higher than the value reported in the literature for the same composition.