Lead Zirconate-Lead Titanate (PZT) Ceramics From Organic-Derived Precursors

Organic-derived precursors can facilitate the preparation of PZT ceramics, particularly in the areas of processing and batch reproducibility. The use of partially alkoxide-derived precursors and completely organic-derived precursors has been studied. Two methods of alkoxide hydrolysis were evaluated for preparing zirconia which included direct hydrolysis in water and hydrolysis of alkoxide-base reaction products in acetone-H2O mixtures. The chemistry of these methods is discussed along with pertinent aqueous surface chemistry of the hydrated zirconia products. This work suggests that alkoxide-derived precursor properties are related to the solution chemistry used in their preparation.