Electrophoretic Deposition of Lead-Zirconate-Titanate Perovskite Thick Films with Low Sintering Temperature

Abstract

We have studied the processing of lead-zirconate-titanate PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 (denoted PZT) based thick films using an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process in order to obtain the active film with desired thickness and porosity at low the sintering temperature. The colloidal suspensions were prepared by mixing the ceramic powder in ethanol with the controlled addition of a polyelectrolyte salt and an organic base. In order to optimise the deposition process, the stability of the PZT and Pb5Ge3O11 (denoted PGO) particles in ethanol-based suspensions was studied. The electrophoretic deposition of PZT-PGO was performed from a mixture of optimal PZT and PGO suspensions in an appropriate molar ratio. PZT and PGO acting as a sintering aid were deposited on an Al2O3/Au substrate at a constant applied current and sintered at 850 oC. The thickness of the deposit was controlled by the deposition time and the applied current. PZT-PGO thick films deposited at 1.2 mA for 60 seconds and sintered at 850oC for 8 hours exhibited a room-temperature dielectric permittivity of 1050, dielectric losses of 0.038, a remanent polarisation Pr of 29 C/cm2, a coercive field Ec of 21 kV/cm and a d33 of 97pC/N.

Processing and electromechanical properties of lead zirconate titanate thick films by electrophoretic deposition

“…The deposition conditions, the drying and sintering procedure of the as deposited layer must be optimised in order to process defect free thick films and to tailor the thickness and the density of the layer. 9,10 During the drying of the as deposited layer, the fast evaporation of the solvent such as ethanol may result in the formation of microcracks. It was shown that the addition of ethyl cellulose (EC) provides the strength for handling the as deposited layer and minimises the formation of defects during the drying.…”

Lead–Zirconate–Titanate Thick Films by Electrophoretic Deposition for High‐Frequency Ultrasound Transducers

“…It is a flexible and low‐cost method that enables the deposition of various materials on conductive substrates using a DC electric field . However, a stable colloid with well‐dispersed particles and an optimized deposition process are essential to obtain homogeneous, crack‐free deposits . The film thickness and morphology can be adjusted by varying the suspension loading, the electrical field, the deposition time, and the sintering procedure …”