Characterization of PbZrO3 prepared using an alkoxide-based sol–gel synthesis route with different hydrolysis conditions

PbZrO3 precursor powders were prepared from lead acetate and zirconium n-butoxide in n-butanol and hydrolysed with Rw (molar ratio of water/lead acetate) = 2 and 15 at different pH values. Upon heating the organic groups were removed in two steps for the precursor prepared at Rw = 2, and in one step at Rw = 15. The perovskite phase crystallizes at approximately 700 °C, irrespective of the hydrolysis conditions.