Lead zirconate titanate fine fibers derived from alkoxide-based sol-gel technology

Fine-scale fibers with diameters <100 μm were prepared using metal alkoxide precursors. Variables that influence fiber drawing and fiber properties in the lead zirconate titanate (PZT) compositional system were investigated to obtain the processing conditions necessary to fabricate high-quality fibers. The gel-to-ceramic conversion was characterized. In addition to drying, firing cycles at temperatures >650°C were needed to achieve phase-pure perovskite fibers. Dense fibers with diameters of 10-70 μm and grain sizes <1 μm were found with sintering temperatures up to 1000°C. Increasing the firing temperature to 1200°C for 30 min resulted in grain growth up to 2.5 μm. Electrical properties of both lanthanum-doped and undoped PZT fibers were measured and were comparable to bulk disks fabricated using powder derived from the same sol.