Preparation of antiferroelectric lead zirconate titanate stannate ceramics by high-energy ball milling process

Lead zirconate titanate stannate powders doped with lanthanum and niobium, namely [Pb_0.99Nb_0.02(Zr_0.85Sn_0.13Ti_{0.0 2})_0.98O₃, or PNZST) and (Pb_0.9La_0.02(Zr_0.65Sn_0.31Ti_0.04 )O₃, or PLZST], were synthesized by a high-energy ball milling technique from their corresponding oxide mixtures. The milled powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size analysis techniques. The sintering behaviors of the milled powders were investigated by a dilatometer from room temperature to 1100°C. PZST ceramics formed from the high-energy ball milled powders were sintered at temperatures from 900°C to 1200°C. The measured electrical properties of the PZST ceramics were comparable to the results reported in the literature. These results have shown that the high-energy ball milling technique is a promising method to prepare PZST ceramics due to its simple procedure.