Crystallization and microstructure of (Sm, Pb)TiO3 thin films prepared from sol-gel synthesized solutions

A sol-gel route is developed for the synthesis of samarium modified lead titanate precursor solutions. The solutions are used for the deposition of thin films. After thermal treatment of the films, two crystalline phases are observed by X-ray diffraction analysis: an undesirable pyrochlore phase and a ferroelectric perovskite. These two phases are clearly distinguished in the film microstructure, showing a fined grained fraction of pyrochlore anda-axis oriented rosette grains of perovskite. The development of these phases as well as the evolution of the perovskite/pyrochlore ratio in the films is related to the chemistry of the synthesized solutions and the thermal treatment used for crystallization.