Structure of nanocrystalline powder and thin films of lead lanthanum titanate prepared by the sol-gel process

Ultrafine powder and thin films of lead lanthanum titanate (PLT) were prepared by eh sol-gel process. The structural variation of the powder with increasing anaealing temperature was monitored by differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and x-ray diffraction. The lowest temperature for the formation of nanocrystals in the powder was found to be about 500 degrees C. Crysrallites of various sizes were obtained by controlling the annealing temperature and time. Thin films of PLT were fabricated by spin casting the sol-gel solution onto Si(111) substrates and the microstructure was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. By controlling the concentration of the precursor and the processing temperature, PLT thin films with uniform crystallite size could be prepared.