Preparation of perovskite Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O 3-based thin films from polymer-modified solution precursors

Abstract

Epitaxial perovskite Pb (Zn13 Nb23) O3 (PZN)-based ferroelectric thin films were prepared through a chemical solution approach, in which the solution precursors were appropriately modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The addition of PEG in the solution dramatically promoted the perovskite phase while suppressed the pyrochlore phase, although PEG was pyrolyzed before the crystallization. The interactions between PEG and metal ions were identified through examining the chemical states of the ions using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of an obtained thin film sample with a composition of 0.462PZN-0.308PMN-0.23PT [PT:PbTi O3; PMN:Pb (Mg13 Nb23) O3] were characterized, showing a very low coercive field, high dielectric constant, and strong piezoelectric effect. © 2006 American Institute of Physics.