Characterization and X-ray peak broadening analysis in PZT nanoparticles prepared by modified sol–gel method

Lead zirconate titanate nanoparticles (PZT-NPs) were synthesized by a modified sol–gel method and were calcinated at temperatures of 600, 650 and 700 °C. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal analysis (TGA/DTA), indicate that single-phase perovskite PZT-NPs are obtained after heat treatment at a temperature of 650 °C. The TEM results obtained from the PZT-NPs confirm that the morphology of the PZT nanoparticles is spherical, with an average diameter size of 17 nm. We also investigated the crystallite development in the nanostructured PZT by X-ray peak broadening analysis. The individual contribution of many small crystallite sizes and lattice strains to the peak broadening in the PZT nanoparticles prepared at different temperatures were studied using Williamson–Hall (W–H) analysis in the range of 2θ = 15–80°.