Electrophoretic deposition of BaTi0.85Zr0.15O3 nanopowders

Abstract

The present study reports the results of thick films (20-130 µm) produced through electrophoretic deposition of BaTi0.85Zr0.15O3 (BTZ) nanometric powders synthesized by the Pechini's method. The BTZ powderscalcined at 600°C/2h presented a single crystalline phase with an average particle size of ~20nm. To thick films deposition, a stable suspension of acetylacetone (Acac) and ethanol (EtOH)was prepared and the powder was deposited on platinum substrates. The viscosity of BTZ powders suspensions as a function of operational pH (OpH)was measured and the reactions between nanoparticles and the media were discussed. A milling process was used to deagglomerate the powders and it had a great influence in the suspension stability and deposition of thick films. Dense and crack-free thick films were obtained after sintering at 1220 °C/1h. The dielectric properties results, comparable with those of bulk BTZ ceramics, suggested potential applications of the EPD process for the deposition of ferroelectric/piezoelectric thick films.