Alkoxides chemically modified

PZN-PT, and YBa2Cug02 g. For the preparation of PZT thin films, the most frequently used precursors have been lead acetate and 2irconium and titanium alkoxides, especially the propoxides. Short-chain alcohols, such as methanol and propanol, have been used most often as solvents, although there have been several successful investigations of the preparation of PZT films from the methoxyethanol solvent system. The use of acetic acid as a solvent and chemical modifier has also been reported. Whereas PZT thin films with exceUent ferroelectric properties have been prepared by sol-gel deposition, there has been relatively Httle effort directed toward understanding solution chemistry effects on thin-film properties. 

Most of the metal alkoxides of interest for electrooptical ceramics are solids (less often liquids) that can be purified by recrystallization, sublimation, or distillation. They are all moisture sensitive, and handling under an inert atmosphere and with anhydrous solvents is thus required. Their unequivocal characterization and formulation are best achieved by x-ray diffraction studies (on monocrystals). Studies on solutions (molecular weight data, nuclear magnetic resonance, NMR, with H, or metal nuclei) are a means either to establish whether the solid-state structure is retained or, in the absence of x-ray data, to establish the molecular structure and eventually stereolability [48]. Mass spectrometry provides information on the stability of the oligomers or the het-erometallic species in the vapor phase. The information gained by infrared spectroscopy is limited the technique is mostly useful for the identification of solvates M(OR) (ROH)x (vOH absorption 3400-3100 cm-l or of chemically modified (heteroleptic) alkoxides (probe for the vCO stretching of P-diketonate or carboxylate ligands, for instance). 

R. Di Maggio, F. Farina, T. Mangialardi and P. Scardi, Preparation of Ce02-stabilized Zr02 fibers by a chemically modified alkoxide method, in Advanced Structural Fiber Composites (P. Vincenzini, ed.), 37-44, Techna Sri., Italy (1995). 

Solution chemistry of metal alkoxide precursors discusses hydrolysis and condensation of metal alkoxides and chemically modified aikoxides in nonaqueous solvents. 

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