Cathodic electrosynthesis of PZT films

Cathodic electrosynthesis of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films on platinum substrates was performed via hydrolysis by electrogenerated base of TiCl4, ZrOCl2 and Pb(NO3)2 salts dissolved in water in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Possible cathodic reactions which underly the base formation and the role of hydrogen peroxide in the deposition process are discussed. Deposits as-obtained were amorphous and formation of a single perovskite phase was observed after annealing at 500 °C. By variation of current density and deposition time, the amount of the deposited material could be controlled. The films were characterized by XRD, TG/DTA and SEM.