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

Ultrafine powders and thin films of lead lanthanum titanate (PLT) were prepared by the sol-gel process. The structural variation of the powder with increasing annealing 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/spl deg/C. Crystallites 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.