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.