Lead Germanate thin films have been successfully deposited on different electrodes by a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) system for the first time. Three different phases have been characterized. The single c-axis oriented Pb 5 Ge 3 O 11 phase has been deposited on Ir, Ir/Pt (Pt on top) and Pt electrodes respectively and shows a very uniform surface. A lead rich phase, Pb 3 GeO 5 , also was formed with a polycrystalline structure and large grain size exhibiting a very rough surface. Finally an unknown oxygen and/or lead deficient phase, which is considered here a non-stoichiometric phase of Pb 5 Ge 3 O 11 , appeared with a smaller interplanar spacing of about 9.4 Å compared with 10.68 Å for the Pb 5 Ge 3 O 11 phase. This unknown phase can co-exist with the c-axis oriented Pb 5 Ge 3 O 11 phase and deteriorates its ferroelectric properties. Post deposition annealing in an oxygen or oxygen plus lead ambient can recover the ferroelectric properties of this film.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.