Preparation of Pb (Ti, Zr) O₃ Precursor Sols from Metal Alkoxides

Abstract

Clear PZT sols have been prepared by controlled hydrolysis of Pb, Ti and Zr mixed alkoxide solutions in methoxy-ethanol. The water/methoxy-ethanol ratio which gives clear sol decreases with increasing alkoxide concentration at a constant alkoxide composition, and decrease as Zr alkoxide in Pb and Zr mixed alkoxide is substituted by Ti alkoxide. Sols dried at 70°C were analyzed by XRD, TEM and EDX. The particle size of sols was 10-40nm by TEM, which depends on the composition. The XRD result showed that dried powders are amorphous, which crystallize at above 600°C. EDX analysis of particles showed that PbTiO₃ and PbZrO₃ powders are chemically homogeneous at a particle level. On the other hand, PZT powder was less homogeneous.