Abstract
Single phase PLZT powder was fabricated using the mixed oxide approach, with a composition (6/60/40) lying on the rhombohedral-tetragonal (morphotropic) phase boundary. Aqueous suspensions showed an IEP of pH 9·7 in the absence of a polyelectrolyte surfactant. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry analysis demonstrated considerable leaching of Pb2+ and La3+ ions under acidic conditions. The addition of an ammonium salt of poly(methacrylate), or PMA-NH4, decreased the IEP to pH 5-6. Suspensions were readily stabilised at basic pH using low PMA-NH4 concentration (<0·1 wt-% of solids). Concentrated suspensions exhibited shear thinning behaviour under low shear rates, with a transition to shear thickening at modest rates (i.e. 100 s−1). Excessive shear thickening imposed a maximum solids loading of 46 vol.-% on concentrated suspensions, which related to the somewhat ‘flake-like’ particle morphology. Slip casting resulted in green and sintered (1250°C for 30 min) densities of 56±1% and 98·3±0·6% of theoretical, respectively.
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