Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 nanotubes synthesis and infrared absorption properties

Abstract Herein a useful methodology to synthesize the lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanotubes via a dip-coating deposition process with anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template is proposed. The nano-porous AAO templates were produced using a controlled two-step electrochemical anodization technique. The PZT/AAO composite was formed using the dip-coating wetting technique. The prepared PZT precursor solution was driven into the nanopore channels of AAO template under the driving force of capillary action, subsequently the sintering process of the as-filled templates was carefully tuned to obtain Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 nanotubes of crystalline tetragonal phase with uniform pore size and ordered arrange. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results show that in the 1200–1900 cm−1 band, the composite structure of PZT/AAO has obvious absorption peaks at 1471.56 cm−1 and 1556.09 cm−1, the absorption intensity of the composite structure is about six times of pure AAO template. The unusual optical properties found in PZT/AAO composite will stimulate further theoretical and experimental interests in ferroelectric nanostructures.