Materials Research Center

Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012 INDIA

Prof. T.M. Lagare March 29, 2010

Principal

and

DR. S.R. Manohara,

Coordinator, NCEMEP

Bahubali College of Engineering

Shravanabelagola

I thank you for your invitation to participate in the National conference on Engineering of
Materials through Energetic Particles. I am sending the abstract of my presentation. Kindly
confirm the receipt of the same so that I can schedule my travel plan.

Thanking you

Yours truly,

Professor. Arun M Umarji

Materials Research center
Indian Institute of Science
Bangalore 560012 INDIA

Phone 91 80 2293 2944 (office)

91 80 2337 5479 (Residence)
Fax 91 80 2360 7316
Email umarji@mrc.iisc.ernet.in
 Synthesis of High Density Lead Based Ferroelectric Materials by
Novel Low Temperature Calcination Route

Arun .M.Umarji
Materials Research Centre
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore- 560 012

Synthesis of monophasic material, especially in ceramic form with sufficiently high density play
an important role in solid state properties of material. In this talk the synthesis of Pb(BB’)O 3
complex Perovskite oxides generally known as relaxor ferroelectrics is addressed. They are
extensively studied owing to their excellent dielectric and piezoelectric properties for device
applications. Lead zirconate titanate of composition close to the morphotropic phase boundary
(MPB), finds widespread piezoelectric applications due to easy poling ability. In the processing
of these ceramics, synthesis route is found to be crucial in determining the materials properties.
Stabilization of perovskite phase and low temperature synthesis are two important issues, which
must be considered for achieving better lead stoichiometry and the enhancement of the electronic
properties.

A novel solid-state, single-step calcination route, based on Dilatometric studies is adopted to

synthesize pure perovskite phase of the PMN-PT ceramics [1]. It is observed that higher
calcination temperatures (>9000C) lead to the formation of residual Pb3Nb4O13 type pyrochlores,
which once formed, deteriorates the materials properties. It is shown that the Pb3Nb2O8 type
pyrochlore intermediate formed in between 600-7000C helps in achieving pure perovskite phase.
The sinter active powders also bring down the sintering temperature thereby help maintaining
lead stoichiometry. The high density ceramics obtained by hot pressing results in superior ferroic
properties. Fine microstructure and crystal chemical changes in MPB composition are
investigated. Application of this method for various Relaxor materials and their solid solutions
will be presented in the talk.

[1] V.V. Bhat, Basavaraj Agadi, A. M. Umarji, Mater. Sci. Eng. B 116 (2005) 131-135.