Synthesis and characterization of monosized Pb(Sc sub 1/2 , Nb sub 1/2 )O sub 3 powder

Perovskite lead magnesium niobate, PMN, (Pb(Mg{sub 1/3}, Nb{sub 2/3})O{sub 3}) and its homotypes are the relaxor ferroelectrics, but the PMN family has been reported to be quite difficult to synthesize reproducibly using conventional solid-state reaction methods. This paper discusses the preparation of Pb(Sc{sub 1/2}Nb{sub 1/2})O{sub 3} through hydrolysis and coprecipitation methods. The controlled hydrolysis of Nb(OC{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 5} dilute solution produced a fine powder. Coprecipitation of a mixed aqueous solution of scandium nitrate Sc(NO{sub 3}){sub 3} and lead nitrate Pb(NO{sub 3}){sub 2} with an excess of (NH{sub 4}){sub 2}CO{sub 3} solution developed a coating layer of Sc{sub 2}(CO{sub 3}){sub 3} and PbCO{sub 3} on the as-hydrolyzed Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5} particle surface. Calcinating the layered particles resulted in a monosized PSN powder.