Study of Zr_1−xSn_xTiO₄ thin films prepared by a polymeric precursor route

Abstract

Zirconium-stannate titanate Zr 1−x Sn x TiO 4 (ZTS) thin films, undoped and doped with Sb, Ta and Nb, were prepared by a polymeric precursor technique. The ZTS films were deposited on the multilayered substrates (Pt/Ti/SiO 2 /Si) by means of multiple spin-coating. After this deposition, the samples were heated at different temperatures (300-700• C). The chemical composition of these films and bulk ZTS samples was investigated by using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and selected-area XPS depth profiling. A partial surface segregation of Sn IV and the presence of Sn 0 , Ti II and Ti III species in the films were revealed from XPS depth profiles. An optimized ZTS deposition process, where an oxidizing agent (H 2 O 2 ) is added to the gel, is proposed.

Comparison of ZrxTi1−xO4 films produced by PLD and MOCVD techniques

“…10 The efficiency of this process depends strongly on the compound structure, on the environment of Ti atoms and on the energy of the incident ionic beam. As was revealed in previous work, 11 the …”

Lead enrichment at the surface of lead zirconate titanate thin films

“…In fact, sol gel methods are notorious for the reducing conditions that are present during pyrolysis. 6,9 In this case, the diffusion is driven by the oxidation of Pb at the PZT/oxygen interface. A second, closely related mechanism that could explain this type of segregation is kinetic demixing.…”

Compositional and Optical Gradient in Films of PbZrxTi1-xO3 (PZT) Family

“…Surface enrichment of some elements has been reported by many authors (Impey et al, 1998, Watts et al, 2001, 2003Gusmano et al, 2002), and there are just few explanations for this phenomenon. An analogy may be drawn with the oxidation of metals such as Cu and Sn where the metals dif-fuse towards the reacting surface (Wagner, 1971;Cabrera and Mott, 1948).…”