Sol–gel electrophoretic deposition of PZT nanotubes

Abstract

Sol–gel electrophoretic deposition was utilized to grow lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanotubes through a template-based process, using porous anodic alumina templates and an acetic acid-based PZT sol. The templates were prepared employing various anodizing voltages and times to achieve different pore diameters and lengths. The PZT sol was deposited into the template channels under the influence of a DC electric field. A single-firing process was developed to transform the dried precursor gels into the perovskite PZT phase. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy show the applicability of electrophoresis technique for the deposition of tubular PZT arrays. Electron diffraction patterns also indicate the amorphous nature of the template and polycrystalline structure of the tubes. X-ray diffraction studies indicate the perovskite structure of the grown PZT nanotubes.