Microestructural evolution during the pyrochlore to perovskite transformation in (Pb,La)TiO3 thin films

A pyrochlore to perovskite transformation is known to occur during the rapid heating of sol-gel prepared La modified lead titanate ferroelectric thin films. This transformation is not inhibited by the Pb deficiency caused by PbO volatilisation at the initial stages of the thermal treatment. The microstructural evolution associated with thus transformation occurring in the Pb deficient film has been studied by transmission electron microscopy. Plan view and cross section specimens were prepared from two films at different stages of the transformation. Experiments showed that the pyrochlore phase was homogenously distributed across the film thickness, with a very similar morphology to that of the ferroelectric phase. The combination of microdiffraction and microanalysis allowed identifying single grains that had not the perovskite structure, and were more Pb deficient than the film. Pore growth, grain growth, and growth of local texturing were observed along with the transformation.