Luiz, km 235, 13565-905, São Carlos, SP, Brasil Perovskite-type lead lanthanum titanate powders, (Pb,La)TiO 3 (PLT) were successfully prepared by the combustion synthesis method. The ceramic powders were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface area measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Surface chemical composition was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which revealed the presence of La 3+ , Ti 4+ , and two Pb species, related to the perovskite and lead oxide phases. The assynthesized product characterization indicated that the type of combustible used, urea and glycine, plays an important role in the kinetic and thermochemical parameters of the reaction, and on the obtained material microstructure.