Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/J31582/01
Title:	SOL-GEL PROCESSING OF PT & PZT THIN FILMS: AN INVESTIGATION OF THE MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF GEL-PRECURSORS
Principal Investigator:	Milne, Professor SJ
Other Investigators:	Kennedy, Professor JD
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Institute of Materials Research
Organisation:	University of Leeds
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	14 February 1994	Ends:	13 August 1997	Value (£):	135,534
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials Processing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Thin films of PT and PZT will be prepared by a sol-gel method employing gel precursor solutions (sols) formed by reaction of Pb, Zr and Ti reagents with various diols and polyols. The diol based process has been developed by the applicants and offers significant processing advantages over alternative sol-gel routes, namely the use of non-toxic solvents and a ten-fold increase in the thickness, up to 1 mm, of films formed by a single deposition and firing procedure. The proposed project will include the use of NMR and mass spectroscopy to determine the molecular structures of the precursor species at various stages of sol and gel production. The results will be used to help design modified diol and polyol based PT and PZT systems to reduce the hydrocarbon content and modify the degree of cross-linking in the growing polymer chains. It is anticipated that this will lead to improved drying and firing characteristics and to further advances in film quality. The various solution types will be processed into films and the molecular structure of the precursors related to: coating and thermal decomposition characteristics; the occurrence and frequency of defects; microstructure development; and electrical properties. In sum the results should provide a valuable contribution to the scientific understanding and exploitation of sol-gel processes for film production.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.leeds.ac.uk