Directed Colloidal Assembly of Linear and Annular Lead Zirconate Titanate Arrays

Abstract

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) arrays for ultrasonic sensing applications in the 2–30‐MHz frequency range were fabricated by robocasting, a directed colloidal assembly technique. Both linear and annular arrays were produced by robotically depositing a concentrated PZT gel‐based ink to create high‐aspect‐ratio PZT elements (thickness ∼ 130 μm and height ∼1–2 mm) of varying pitch (∼250–410 μm). The arrays were densified and infiltrated with an epoxy resin to fabricate PZT–polymer composites with 2–2 connectivity. Their dielectric and piezoelectric constants were measured and compared with values obtained for bulk PZT and those predicted theoretically.