Preparation of SiBi2Ta2O9 thin films with a single alkoxide sol-gel precursor

For the first:time, a single alkoxide sol-gel:precursor solution for the ferroelectric strontium bismuth tantalate (SrBi2Ta2O9, SET) was synthesized and utilized for the fabrication of its thin films. The precursor was prepared from a 2-methoxyethanol solution of Sr(OCH2CH2OCH3)(2), Bi(OCH2CH2OCH3)(3), and Ta(OCH2CH2OCH3)(5). H-1 and C-13 NMR spectra of the precursor in benzene show only one set of alkoxy groups, indicating the same chemical environment in solution. This observation suggests that it is a single sol-gel precursor, which is-ideal for the sol-gel processing of SET thin films. The SET films derived from this precursor present outstanding ferroelectric properties and surface morphology.