Synthesis and Characterization of PZT Fibers via Sol-Gel

A fiber forming PZT gel containing 58.5 wt% PZT was synthesized by using zirconium-n-propylate, titanium-iso-propylate, lead acetate and butoxyethanol. Unseeded PZT gels and gels containing 0.5 wt% PZT perovskite seeds (Ø = 200–300 nm) could be extruded through a monofilament nozzle (Ø = 100 m) at pressures between 50 and 150 bar, whereas PZT gels, containing 1 and 2 wt% PZT particles, were pressed through the nozzle at higher pressures (200–300 bar). The microstructure of unseeded and seeded (0.5, 1, 2 wt% PZT) PZT fibers was characterized by SEM. Unseeded fibers had three different shells at 450°C: an external dense shell (approx. 200 nm thick), a middle shell consisting of a porous structure (1.5m thick) and the center of the fiber, characterized by a matrix containing globular particles. At 700°C, a 200–250 nm thick and dense external shell and a porous fiber interior were be observed. 2 wt% of PZT seeds was necessary to densify the fiber completely. The seeds were located in the center of each PZT perovskite rosette.