Processing and seeding effects on crystallisation of PZT thin films from sol-gel method

Lead zirconate titanate PZT (52/48) thin films on alumina substrates were prepared by the sol-gel method. In order to prepare pure perovskite phase films at lower temperature, the study of the processing conditions and of seeding effects on the crystallisation behaviour of the PZT perovskite phase was carried out by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The obtention of the perovskite phase was seen to be highly dependent on the preparation conditions of the sols. The viscosity behaviour of the stock sols was analysed by rheological studies in order to obtain data allowing verification of the stability of the stock solutions. A considerable improvement on the crystallisation of the pure perovskite phase at lower temperatures was observed when PZT seeds were added to the sols. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited.