Synthesis and Characterization of PMN-PT Thin Films Prepared by a New Chemical Route

Abstract

Thin films of lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) have been synthesized by a new and simple chemical solution deposition route, using Acetoin (3-Hydroxy 2-butanone) as chelating agent and methanol as solvent. The starting materials were Niobium ethoxide, Titanium butoxide, Magnesium ethoxide and Lead acetate. The films were deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrates by spin-coating. By a multilayer process, homogenous and crack-free films with thickness up to 1 μ m were obtained. The microstructure and surface morphology of the films were characterized by X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy (AFM) techniques. Films with a predominant perovskite phase and average grain size of ∼ 200 nm were obtained. The dielectric and ferroelectric properties are reported.

Keywords:

• Piezoelectrics
• PMN-PT
• thin films
• precursor chemistry

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Prof. Jose Antonio Eiras for helping us with the electrical characterization of the films. This work was supported by ANPCyT and CONICET. M.G.S. thanks support from CIUNR. M.L.S. thanks Fundación Josefina Pratts.