Abstract
Generation of the freestanding lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticles and their phase transformation behavior is investigated in this research. PZT sol-gel precursor was dried at
250
°
C
and partially calcined at
450
°
C
for
30
min
to decompose organics and bring down the free energy barrier for perovskite crystallization. Annealed at
550
-
600
°
C
, sol-gel PZT powder exhibited freestanding nanocrystalline morphology. The electron diffraction pattern obtained from nanoparticles confirmed their crystallinity and perovskite phase formation. The structural characteristics were evaluated by transmission electron microscope and x-ray diffraction techniques. The average PZT nanoparticle size of
20
nm
was observed by transmission electron microscope and Scherrer's method.