Determination of particle size and shape during the hydrolysis of Pb(Zr0.3Ti0.7)O3 precursor solutions

The formation and growth of polymeric particles during the hydrolysis and condensation of (PbZrTi0.7O3)-Ti-0.3 (PZT 30/70) sol-gel precursor solutions have been investigated by using photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and by measuring their rheological properties. The measurements showed that the growth of the particles in the transition of PZT sol to gel followed a simple polymerisation process. Solution A (containing 'by-products') and Solution B ('by-products' removed) displayed a similar plot of logarithmic viscosity against logarithmic time, indicating that the particles in both solutions have similar structures after hydrolysis. The changes in viscosity and particle size with time were described by single logarithmic growth models. However, the increasing rate of logarithmic particle size in Solution B is higher than that in Solution A. A model for the form of the aggregates is discussed which is applicable to PZT organometal-particle aggregation process in systems with acetic acid as a modifier.