PZT Microfibre defect structure studied by Raman spectroscopy

Raman-scattering spectroscopy on the microscale is proposed as a method to study the distribution of defects and existing vacancies in lead zirconate titanate (PZT) fibres during industrial processes to monitor the volumetric structural order within the fibre and to estimate the spatial phase transition degree from rhombohedral to tetragonal phase. PZT fibres developed in two different sintering atmospheres, PbO and a mixture of PbZrO3 and ZrO2 (PZ+Z), were studied to determine optimal conditions for the production of defect-free PZT fibres. An estimation of defect distribution along the radius of the PZT fibres is presented using Raman spectroscopy and confirmed by x-ray-diffractometry measurements. The degradation of the spatial-mechanical properties is explained by structural changes produced by electrostatic interactions between Zr and Ti ions.