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The thermodynamic assessment of the PZT system is carried out by the CALPHAD method. The thermodynamic properties of the phases are described using compound energy formalism CEF for the various solid phases and a solution model for the liquid. Three boundary systems PbO-ZrO 2 , PbO-TiO 2 and ZrO 2 -TiO 2 are reassessed based on the most recent experimental data, while the ternary PbO-TiO 2 -ZrO 2 system is modelled for the first time. Calculated phase diagrams are compared with the experimental data.

One of the methods for powder synthesis that is both cost and time effective is the selfpropagating room temperature synthesis. We applied this method to synthesize rare earth doped ceria nanopowders. Since they exhibit very high ionic conductivity at intermediate temperatures these compositions are attractive for a new generation of nanostructured ceramics applicable in solid oxide fuel cells as electrolytes. In this paper we paid our attention to the reaction based on methathetical pathway, whereby solid solution nanopowders of rare earth elements with ceria were obtained at room temperature. Compositions of Ce1-xRexO2-δ (Re = Y , Nd) were synthesized with x ranging from 0 to 0.20. The reaction course is discussed and the properties of the obtained powders are presented.