Preparation and characterization of lanthanum-modified lead titanate thin films

Abstract

Lanthanum-modified lead titanate (PTL) ferroelectric thin films are prepared by a recently developed diol-based sol-gel route. Different microstructures are obtained by varying the heating rate during the thermal treatment. Ferroelectric hysteresis loops, pulse response and a.c. current density measurements are carried out to study the thin film electrical behaviour. Conduction is found to be non-negligible. Switchable polarization and coercive field are higher in films heated at a rate higher than 500/spl deg/C/min than in those heated at 10/spl deg/C/min.