Abstract
In this study, a novel and simple synthetic sol-gel procedure was established to directly prepare spherical lead titanate powders without prior synthesis/usage of spherical templates such as TiO2 particles. Isotropic submicron particles with a mean diameter of 1-4 mu m were prepared in this way. This synthetic process takes advantage of acetone as a stabilizing ligand and autogenous pressure generated in the autoclave during the reaction. The influence of various experimental factors (nature of the ligand, thermal treatment mode, and post-calcining temperature) as well as the formation mechanism were studied. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to explore the particle morphology. The crystalline phases were explored and identified by X-ray diffraction analysis.