Synthesis of nanocrystalline ZnTiO3 perovskite thin films by sol-gel process assisted by microwave irradiation

Nanocrystalline ZnTiO₃ thin films have been grown on Si (1 0 0) at room temperature by using simple, cost effective sol-gel process assisted by microwave irradiation for thermal treatment. For comparison purpose the deposited films have subjected to two kinds of annealing treatments: first set by using conventional annealing and second set by irradiating the deposited films at different microwave powers for 10 min. In both treated films, formation of cubic phase ZnTiO₃ structure has been observed. It is evident that there is a dramatic structural modification when the deposited films are exposed to microwave. It is evident that there is a dramatic change in the morphological properties of the films irradiated in microwave compared to the conventional annealing temperature. Microwave exposed films have shown 19% of Zn, 19% of Ti and 62% of O in the films close to the stiochiometry of the ZnTiO₃, where as annealed films have shown 18% of Zn, 17.5% of Ti, and 64.5% of O in the films of ZnTiO₃. Plausible mechanism for the formation of cubic phase of ZnTiO₃ at low microwave powers has also been discussed. This new innovative microwave heating could open a door for the advanced technologies to cut down the process cost in post treatment of the materials.