Aging characteristics of a hybrid sol-gel Pb(Zr,Ti)O{sub 3} precursor solution
- Advanced Materials Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, 1001 University Boulevard, SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106 (United States)
- Sandia National Laboratories, 1515 Eubank NE, Mail Stop 1405, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87115 (United States)
The {open_quotes}aging{close_quotes} characteristics of an acetic acid/methanol solvent-based lead zirconate titanate (PZT) precursor solution, prepared by the Inverted Mixing Order (IMO) process, have been studied for an extended period of time. The changes in film properties were characterized using optical microscopy, optical scattering, and ferroelectric testing. Films generated from the IMO process exhibit an increase in thickness as a function of solution age due to chemical {open_quotes}aging{close_quotes} (esterification) of the precursor solution. This increased thickness results in a decrease in the microstructural uniformity, which affects the electrical and optical properties. In order to understand and eventually control this phenomenon, we have quantified the {open_quotes}aging{close_quotes} of this solution using a variety of analytical methods, including {sup 1}H NMR spectroscopy, pH measurements, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It is of note that we have discovered a method which circumvents this {open_quotes}aging{close_quotes} problem by removal of the volatile material, forming an IMO powder which can be redissolved to produce high quality PZT thin films whenever desired. {copyright} {ital 1997 Materials Research Society.}
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Laboratory
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 491634
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Materials Research, Journal Name: Journal of Materials Research Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 12; ISSN JMREEE; ISSN 0884-2914
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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