Perovskite phase transformation in 0.65Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.35PbTiO3 nanoparticles derived by sol-gel

Fabrication of 0.65Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.35PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) nanoparticles with an average size of about 40 nm and their phase transformation behavior from pyrochlore to perovskite phase is investigated. A novel sol-gel method was used for the synthesis of air-stable and precipitate-free diol-based sol of PMN-PT which was dried and partially calcined at 450 deg. C for 1 h to decompose organics and bring down the free energy barrier for perovskite crystallization and then finally annealed in the temperature range 600 to 700 deg. C. Annealed at around 700 deg. C for 1 h, PMN-PT gel powder exhibited nanocrystalline morphology with perovskite phase as confirmed by the transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques.