Abstract: Of all the piezoelectric ceramics, lead titanate (PbTiO3) has an important place as an electromechanical transducer. In the present article PbTiO3 synthesized by sol–gel technique and microwave processed is presented. The sintered PbTiO3 is found to be of high density. The sintered PbTiO3 crystal structure and crystallinity confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and sample weight loss and decomposition investigated by thermal analysis. Prepared PbTiO3 functional groups confirmed by FT-IR spectrum and phase formation analyzed by Raman spectra. Sample spherical morphology confirmed by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The particle size found to be 77 nm from TEM. The variation of dielectric constant and ac conductivity with temperature and frequency of PbTiO3 are investigated. The value of σdc is found to be 1.767 × 10−2 S/cm at transition temperature using the Nyquist plot. The ferroelectric hysteresis loop and piezoelectric coefficient d33 confirm the ferroelectric and piezoelectric nature of the PbTiO3 (PT). Graphical abstract: [InlineMediaObject not available: see fulltext.]. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.