Synthesis of lead zirconate powders via a polyaniline-mediated microemulsion processing route

Oxalate precursors of lead zirconate were synthesised in the nanosized aqueous domains of an inverse microemulsion consisting of cyclohexane, NP5 + NP9 and an aqueous phase of mixed lead and zirconium nitrates. Polyaniline was added into the microemulsion-derived precursor via an in-situ polymerisation in the aqueous phase when lead oxalate and zirconium oxalate are coprecipitated. The in-situ polymerisation of anilines in the microemulsion resulted in the formation of a well dispersed precursor powder, after the nanosized oxalate particles were retrieved from the reacted microemulsions by repeated washing using distilled ethanol. Upon calcination at 800°C, the microemulsion-derived oxalate precursor led to the formation of an ultrafine lead zirconate powder, which was characterised for various powder characteristics.