Shape-controlled synthesis of lead zirconate titanate nanocrystallites, microrods, microrolls and 3D complex architectures via the effects of poly-vinylalcohol macromolecular conformation

Abstract

Shape-controlled synthesis of tetragonal PbZr_0.52Ti_0.48O₃ (PZT) perovskite nanocrystallites, microrolls, microrods and 3D complex architectures composed of microroll-bundles or microrod-bundles were realized via a hydrothermal reaction route by simply adjusting the poly-vinylalcohol (PVA) and KOH concentrations. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), differential temperature and thermogravimetric analysis (DTA and TG) were used to characterize the phase composition, morphology and thermal behaviors of the synthesized samples. In order to investigate the effect of PVA on the shape-controlled synthesis of the tetragonal PZT perovskite particles, a series of experiments were performed by changing the PVA and KOH concentration. Based on the experimental results, the formation mechanisms of tetragonal PZT perovskite particles with various shapes and the effects of the PVA macromolecular conformation are discussed.