Fabrication and characterization of ferroelectric PLZT 7/65/35 ceramic thin films and fibers

Integration of ferroelectrics in the current generation of electronic/photonic devices not only enhances the functional capabilities of these devices but also has potential for a variety of new applications. The fabrication of ceramic thin films and fibers is enabled by sol-gel process. This fabrication process is well-controlled, low-cost and compatible with existing fabrication technologies. This study focussed on the fabrication of PLZT 7/65/35 ceramic thin films and fibers from lead acetate hydrate, lanthanum acetate hydrate, zirconium n-propoxide and titanium n-propoxide utilizing acid catalysis. The transformations of the precursors to sol, sol to gel and gel to crystalline phase were characterized using spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction. The films were formed by spin-coating the hydrolyzed precursor sol on various substrates: conductors (Au, Al, Pt), semiconductors (Si [100], Si [111]) and insulators (fused SiO2, Al2O3, MgO). The fibers were drawn from the similar sols. These films and fibers were characterized utilizing various techniques.