Synthesis and Characterization of PbTiO3 Nanopowders by Citric Acid Gel Method

High purity lead titanate nanopowders in tetragonal form have been successfully prepared bycitric acid gel method using lead nitrate and tetra-n-butyl titanate as Pb and Ti sourcesrespectively and citric acid as complexing reagent. The precursors were calcined at varioustemperatures ranging from 450 °C to 600 °C for 2 h. Fourier Transform InfraredSpectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy(TEM) were used to characterize the crystallization process, particle size and morphology ofthe calcined powders. The results indicated that lead titanate nanoparticles with an averagesize ranging from 35-50 nm could be obtained after calcining of the dried gel at 550°C for2 h.