Synthesis and piezoresponse of highly ordered Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 nanowire arrays

We report the synthesis and characterization of ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 (PZT) nanowires. The PZT nanowires, with diameters of about 45nm and lengths of about 6μm, were fabricated by means of a sol-gel method utilizing nanochannel alumina templates. After postannealing at 700°C, the PZT nanowires exhibit a polycrystalline microstructure, and x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy study revealed their perovskite crystal structure. The piezoelectric characteristics of individual PZT nanowires were demonstrated by piezoresponse force microscopy.