Synthesis and structural characterization of the antiferroelectric lead zirconate nanotubes by pulsed laser deposition

Abstract

For the first time, a pulsed laser ablation deposition (PLD) method has been employed for the synthesis of antiferroelectric lead zirconate, PbZrO₃, (PZ) nanotubes within the pores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. The structure and morphology of fabricated PZ nanotubes were characterized by number of techniques, including scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM)analysis. After postannealing at 650 °C, the PZ nanotubes exhibited a polycrystalline microstructure, and X-ray diffraction studies revealed that they are of an orthorhombic distorted perovskite crystal structure. TEM analysis confirmed that the obtained PZ nanotubes are composed of nanoparticles in the range of 3-7 nm and the thickness of the wall of the nanotubes is around 10 nm.