Crystallization of amorphous lead-titanate prepared by a sol-gel process

Abstract

Monolithic samples of amorphous lead-titanate were prepared by a sol-gel process. Samples of the dried gel were analyzed using x-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis. Crystallization of a metastable intermediate phase was observed to begin upon annealing at 400°C for approximately 6 hours. Tetragonal PbTiO3 appeared after longer annealing times. The crystallization temperature at a constant heating rate of 8°C/min. was approximately 470°C.