Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2011
Thin films of ZrO2 and lead zirconate-titanate, PZT, about 100 to 1000 nm in thickness, were prepared by electrophoretic deposition from transparent sols obtained by hydrolysis of metal alkoxides. Stainless steel plates and Pt-coated glass plates were used as substrates/electrodes. The applied field was up to 20 V/cm. The refractive indices of as dried films were higher than those of dip-coated films. High temperature oxidation of stainless steel plates was suppressed by the ZrO2 coatings. Uniformity of the chemical composition of the as-dried PZT films, determined by Auger electron spectroscopy, was better than the dip-coated PZT films.