Preparation of PZT microtubes by slip casting on vermicelli, followed by in situ polymerization

Abstract

Slip casting of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) slurries of higher solids loading (48.8-51.6 vol%) prepared in a urea-formaldehyde (UF) monomer solution on vermicelli of ∼1000 μm diameter has been studied to prepare PZT microtubes with a higher wall thickness (200-960 μm) in a lower dipping time (0.5-4.0 min) to facilitate faster production and lower failure during drying and vermicelli burnout. Polymerization of the UF monomer by exposing the PZT slurry-coated vermicelli to HCl gas provides good strength and stability to the coating. The dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the microtubes compare well with the properties of PZT-5H ceramic compositions. © 2009 The American Ceramic Society.