Synthesizing 0.9PZN–0.1BT by mechanically activating mixed oxides

0.9Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)–0.1BaTiO₃ (0.9PZN–0.1BT) of perovskite structure has been successfully prepared by mechanically activating mixed oxides of PbO, ZnO, Nb₂O₅, BaO and TiO₂. The novel mechanochemical technique skips the phase-forming calcination step at an intermediate temperature that is always required in both the conventional solid state reaction and chemistry-based precursor routes. Ultrafine 0.9PZN–0.1BT particles of perovskite structure were formed when the constituent oxides were mechanically activated for more than 10 h. The powder was sintered to a density of 96% theoretical density at 1100°C for 1 h. The sintered 0.9PZN–0.1BT exhibits perovskite structure and a peak dielectric constant of 8800 at the Curie temperature of 60°C when measured at a frequency of 100 Hz.