Spray Pyrolysis Synthesis of Lead Magnesium Niobate Relaxor Ferroelectric Powders

The spray pyrolysis method was applied to the synthesis of Lead Magnesium Niobate (PMN). This synthesis method offers several advantages over conventional processing for this material. These advantages include the ability to produce unagglomerated spherical particles, and to systematically control the particle size. Sub micron powders were produced by the atomization of an aqueous polymeric precursor, and passing the aerosol through a multi-zone furnace. Powders in the composition range XPb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 - (1-X) PbTiO3 were produced. Phase development during synthesis was investigated, and the sintering behavior of these powders studied