Sol-gel processing of transparent PLZT((Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O3) fibers

PLZT((Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O-3) ceramic fibers were prepared by the sol-gel method from a solution of lead acetate trihydrate, lanthanum isopropoxide, zirconium n-propoxide and titanium isopropoxide containing 2-methoxyethanol as the solvent. The as-drawn gel fibers were pretreated in an autoclave and preheated in flowing H2O vapor prior to the heat-treatment for crystallization. The effects of autoclaving and preheating in flowing H2O vapor on the structure and composition of the resultant fibers were investigated. Optically transparent single phase perovskite PLZT fibers of 5-15 mu m in thickness and 5 cm in length were successfully prepared when the autoclave-treatment and the preheating in flowing H2O vapor were conducted prior to crystallization. These treatments are thought to promote hydrolysis of the organic groups and polycondensation reaction in the gel fibers, leading to the successful formation of dense, crack-free transparent PLZT fibers.