Synthesis of Pb1−xEux(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 nanopowders by a modified sol–gel process using zirconium oxynitrate source

Rare earth Eu-doped lead zirconium titanate (PEZT) nanocrystalline powders with a composition near the morphotropic phase boundary (Zr/Ti=52/48) were prepared by a modified sol–gel method. DTA/TG, IR and XRD were used to determine the thermal and phase changes in the formation of PEZT crystalline powders. The maximal doping content of Eu and the effect of Eu3+ cation substitution for Pb2+ cation on the microstructure of PZT were developed with XRD. The grain size of PEZT nanopowders is about 20 nm determined by TEM.