Microstructure and properties of sol-gel derived Pb(Zr<Subscript>0.3</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>0.7</Subscript>)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> thin films on GaN/sapphire for nanoelectromechanical systems

Highly (111) oriented, phase-pure perovskite Pb(Zr_0.3Ti_0.7)O₃ (or PZT 30/70) thin films were deposited on single-crystal, (0001) wurtzite GaN/sapphire substrates using the sol-gel process and rapid thermal annealing. The phase, crystallinity, and stoichiometry of annealed PZT films were evaluated by X-ray diffraction and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. The atomic force microscopy revealed a smooth PZT surface (rms roughness ∼1.5 nm) with striations and undulations possibly influenced by the nature of the underlying GaN surface. The cross-sectional field-emission scanning electron microscopic images indicated a sharper PZT/GaN interface compared to that of sol-gel derived PZT on (111) Pt/TiO₂/SiO₂/(100) Si substrates. The capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics for PZT in the Pt/PZT/GaN (metal-ferroelectric-semiconductor or MFS) configuration were evaluated as a function of annealing temperature and applied voltage. The observed C-V hysteresis stemmed from trapped charge at defect sites within PZT. Also, the lower capacitance density (C/A = 0.35 μF/cm², where A is the area of an electrode) and remnant polarization (P _r ∼ 4 μC/cm²) for PZT in the MFS configuration, compared to the values for PZT in the MFM configuration (Pt/PZT/Pt), were attributed to the high depolarization field within PZT.     

Mesoporous Nb2O5 Films: Influence of Degree of Crystallinity on Properties

Nanocrystalline Nb₂O₅ films were prepared by an extended sol-gel method. The synthesis is based on the hydrolysis of a modified Nb-alkoxide precursor. Reaction of the modified precursor (Nb(OEt)₅ + 2 2,4-pentanedione) with water in ethanol leads to a homogeneous hydrolyzed solution, which is stable against precipitation of niobium oxide after evaporation of the ethanol and in the whole pH-range investigated (1–10). Autoclaving leads to amorphous gels, from which homogeneous nanocrystalline niobium oxide films of up to 15 m can be made. During annealing crystalline phases are first observed above 500°C with fully crystalline films of orthorhombic T-phase Nb₂O₅ attained at 600°C. The microstructural, crystallographic, optical and photoelectrical properties of the films were characterized by means of SEM, XRD, UV-VIS spectroscopy and surface photovoltage spectroscopy, respectively.     

Process optimization and characterization of thin films of SrFeO3-x by the pechini method

Nanostructured coatings have recently attracted increasing interest because of the possibilities of synthesizing materials with unique physical-chemical properties. Highly sophisticated surface related properties, such as optical, magnetic, electronic, catalytic, mechanical, chemical and tribological properties can be obtained by advanced nanostructured coatings, making them attractive for various industrial applications. In this report we describe our efforts at developing methodology for the fabrication of SrFeO_3-x based thin films using a modified Pechini method. Thin films of SrFeO_3-x were fabricated using spin coating and a drop coating method developed in-house on Al₂O₃ and Si- substrates. The films annealed at 600°C for one hour show a perovskite phase. The grain size increases with increase in annealing temperature. The influence of various variables such as metal to chelant ratio, drying control reagents, calcination conditions, substrate type and mode of film formation were studied using XRD, optical microscopy, SEM and AFM.     

Preparation of La0.75Sr0.25MnO3 Nano-Phase Powders and Films from Alkoxide Precursors

The first purely alkoxide-based sol-gel route to nano-phase powders and thin films of perovskite La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ is described. The phase and microstructure evolution on heat treatment of free gel films to form the target nano-phase oxide were investigated by TGA, IR spectroscopy, powder XRD, SEM and TEM-EDS. The xerogel consisted of a hydrated oxo-carbonate, without remaining alkoxo groups or solvent. Heating at 5°C·min^–1 decomposed the carbonate groups and yielded the pure perovskite La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ at 760°C. The cell dimensions were virtually unchanged from the first observation of perovskite at 680°C, to 1000°C, 4 h. The monoclinic cell of La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ obtained at 1000°C, 4 h, had the dimensions a = 5.475(1), b = 5.504(2), c = 7.771(1) Å, = 90.50(2), fitting the literature data quite well. Crack-free, homogenous, 150 nm thick La_0.75Sr_0.25MnO₃ films were prepared by spin-coating Si/SiO₂/TiO₂/Pt and polycrystalline -Al₂O₃ substrates with a 0.6 M alkoxide solution, followed by heating at 5°C·min^–1 to 800°C, 30 min.     

Low-temperature processing of sol-gel derived Pb(Zr,Ti)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> thick films using CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> laser annealing

Fabrication of ferroelectric Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ (PZT) thick films on a Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrate using powder-mixing sol-gel spin coating and continuous wave CO₂ laser annealing technique to treat the specimens with at a relatively low temperature was investigated in the present work. PZT fine powders were prepared by drying and pyrolysis of sol-gel solutions and calcined at temperatures from 400 to 750°C. After fine powder-containing sol-gel solutions were spin-coated on a substrate and pyrolyzed, CO₂ laser annealing was carried out to heat treat the specimens. The results show that laser annealing provides an extremely efficient way to crystallize the materials, but an amorphous phase may also form in the case of overheating. Thicker films absorb laser energy more effectively and therefore melt at shorter periods, implying a significant volume effect. A film with thickness of 1 μm shows cracks and rough surface morphology and it was difficult to obtain acceptable electrical properties, indicating importance of controlling interfacial stress and choosing appropriate size of the mixing powders. On the other hand, a thick film of 5 μm annealed at 100 W/cm² for 15 s exhibits excellent properties (P _r = 36.1 μC/cm², E _c = 19.66 kV/cm). Films of 10 μm form a melting zone at the surface and a non-crystallized bottom layer easily at an energy density of 100 W/cm², showing poor electrical properties. Besides, porosity and electrical properties of thick films can be controlled using appropriate processing parameters, suggesting that CO₂ laser annealing of modified sol-gel films is suitable for fabricating films of low dielectric constants and high crystallinity.     

MoS x Thin Films by Thermolysis of a Single-Source Precursor

Thin films of MoS _x have been prepared on silicon substrates by spin coating and thermolysis of 0.5 M solutions of alkyldiammonium tetrathiomolybdates in 1,2-ethanediamine (EDA) and 1,2-propanediamine (12PDA). The films have been heat treated in air at temperatures between 80 and 250°C and under N₂ atmosphere at temperatures between 300 and 800°C. X-ray diffraction shows a restricted crystallisation and amorphous residues in both kind of films. EDA-based films exhibit a high tendency to crystallise whereas 12PDA-based films form associated structures with the solvent preventing precursor crystallisation. An insight into the processes occurring in film formation is gained by infrared spectroscopy which indicates a beginning of the decomposition of the 12PDA-based film at temperatures as low as 80°C with incorporation of the diamine solvent. In contrast, the EDA-based films show first signs of a decomposition at 150°C. The decomposition of the intermediate MoS₃ in both cases starts between 250 and 300°C. By means of SNMS depth profiles carbon contents up to 21 and 32 atom-% were found in EDA- and 12PDA-based films, respectively. The films show a significant deficit of sulphur which is compensated by the carbon. Near the surface of the coatings a loss of carbon is observed.     

Growth of the Bismuth Titanate Films on Textured Oxide Electrode by the Spin Coating-Pyrolysis

Bismuth titanate films were fabricated onto highly oriented LaNiO₃ electrode grown on SrTiO₃(100) and LaAlO₃(012) substrates using spin-coating technique with metal naphthenates as starting materials. (00l)/(h00)-oriented bismuth titanate films on LaNiO₃/SrTiO₃ and LaNiO₃/LaAlO₃ were obtained by pyrolysis at 500°C, followed by annealing at 750°C. In-plane alignment and surface morphology of the films analyzed by pole-figure analysis ( scanning) and field emission scanning electron microscope showed an imperfect epitaxy with polycrystalline structure.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Preparation and Characteristics of Porous Silica Films by a Modified Base-Catalyzed Sol-Gel Process Containing PVA: II. Film Preparation

Porous SiO₂ films were successfully deposited on silicon substrates by a modified base-catalyzed Sol-Gel process (MBCP) containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The process conditions, such as the gelation time, the synthesis temperature, the stabilizing agent of the precursor solution and the spin coating speed, the heat-treatment, the annealing temperature of the film on the microstructure and porosity of porous SiO₂ films were systematically investigated by SEM, XRD and ellipsometry techniques. This study provides a novel preparation technique for the porous SiO₂ film. Using this process, the resultant film can reach a thickness of 3.6 m for one layer, a porosity of 25–50%, a low thermal conductivity of 0.11 W/m·K. This film will be used as a low dielectric layer, an thermal-insulating layer and a low refractive index layer.     

Synchrotron X-ray absorption of LaCoO3 perovskite

LaCoO₃ perovskite was prepared at 700°C using citrate precursors. The product was then characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The powder XRD pattern indicates rhombohedral or its monoclinic I2/a subgroup symmetry. The electronic configuration and the short-range atomic structure of the LaCoO₃ perovskite at room temperature were investigated using synchrotron near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS). From the XANES region of the XAS we conclude that Co(III) is at least partly in its intermediate- or high-spin state, which is in accordance with most of the published literature on LaCoO₃ perovskite. The EXAFS region of the LaCoO₃ perovskite spectrum, which up to now was almost not investigated, was simulated satisfactorily for the first two radial structure peaks in terms of the dominant scattering contributions generated with the FEFF8 code and the structural information available from crystallographic data. The best simulation results were obtained with I2/a symmetry. The obtained amplitude reduction factor, zero-energy shift and Debye-Waller factors are useful reference values for data analyses of similar compounds like partly substituted LaCoO₃ perovskite, such as La_1−xCa_xCoO₃ or La_1−xSr_xCoO₃, which are materials of technical interest in catalyst and other applications.     

Optimization of the electrophoretic deposition of YBa2Cu3O7−x superconducting large area coatings

Large area coatings (>10cm²) of the high temperature superconductor YBa₂Cu₃O_7–x (x = 0.1 – 0.2) (YBCO) have been prepared by scale up an electrophoretic deposition technique using silver sheets and Si-wafers coated with Ag or Au as substrates. Several parameters, like the kind of the solvent, the applied voltage, the distance between the electrodes, the initial concentration of the suspension and the temperature during the electrophoresis were investigated in order to attain high deposition rates, as well as uniform YBCO coatings with the proper stoichiometry. To obtain a strongly adherent and dense coating a subsequent appropriate sintering and annealing procedure has been developed. The coatings obtained were characterized for their stoichiometry and superconducting properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. The homogeneity and thickness of the films and the average grain size of the deposited particles have been investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Formation of perovskite phase mixed metal oxides via thermal decomposition of metal-organic complexes with bifunctional ligands

Single-source metal precursors designed to form crystalline perovskite phase mixed metal oxides at low temperatures have been synthesized using -hydroxycarboxylates and alkoxides as ligands. Divalent salts of Ba, Sr, Ca and Pb, [A(O₂CCR₂OH)₂], R = H, Me, were formed from the reaction between ACO₃ and HO₂CCR₂OH in which the hydroxyl group is free to react with metal alkoxide compounds B(OR)₄ where B=Ti, Zr, Sn. These compounds react to eliminate two equivalents of alcohol producing precursors with fixed stoichiometry as shown by the equation: A(O₂CCR₂OH)₂+B(OR)₄ A(O₂CCR₂O)₂B(OR)₂+2HOR. The reaction product is only slightly soluble in pyridine, however upon hydrolysis these compounds form clear solutions from which yellow powders can be isolated by removal of the solvent. Thermolysis of these powders in the temperature range 300–350°C yields perovskite ABO₃. Aqueous solutions of these powders can also be used to form sub-micron sized particles of ABO₃ materials via aerosol processing techniques. In control experiments it was shown that Pb(O₂CCH₂OPh)₂ does not react with metal alkoxide compounds. As a result perovskite PbTiO₃ is not formed below 550°C. Solutions for spin coating thin films can be formed by dissolution of the powder in ethanol, but the crystallization behavior is quite different compared to the bulk powders.     

High temperature phase transition in SOFC anodes based on Sr2MgMoO6−δ

The double perovskite Sr₂MgMoO_6−δ has been recently reported as an efficient anode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). In the present work, this material have been investigated by high temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and impedance spectroscopy to further characterise its properties as SOFC anode. DSC and XRD measurements indicate that Sr₂MgMoO_6−δ exhibits a reversible phase transition around 275 °C from triclinic () with an octahedral tilting distortion to cubic () without octahedral distortion. This phase transition is continuous with increasing temperature without any sudden cell volume change during the phase transformation. The main effect of the phase transformation is observed in the electrical conductivity with a change in the activation energy at low temperature. La³⁺ and Fe-substituted Sr₂MgMoO_6−δ phases were also investigated, however these materials are unstable under oxidising conditions due to phase segregations above 600 °C.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Photocatalytic Porous Fe3+/TiO2 Layers on Glass

Wet chemical synthesis and preliminary photocatalytical characteristics of titania and Fe(III)-containing TiO₂ layers are presented. A highly stable coating colloids could be prepared under base- as well as acid-catalyzed condensation conditions. Structural properties of the as-prepared wet gels and sintered films were investigated using SEM, TEM, XRD as well as optical absorption spectroscopy, DTA-TG analysis and photomineralisation studies. X-ray amorphous wet titania gel layers start to crystallize at 500°C forming the characteristic anatase phase. In the presence of iron ions (Fe/Ti = 1), nanocrystalline FeTiO₃ ilmenite phase forms. Both TiO₂ and Fe-containing TiO₂ films demonstrate a photocatalytic activity in the process of the photomineralization of dichloroacetic acid.     

Synthesis,Ferroelectric and Optical Properties of (Pb,Ca)TiO3 Thin Films by Soft Solution Processing

Calcium modified lead titanate sol was synthesized using a soft solution processing, the so-called polymeric precursor method. In soft chemistry method, soluble precursors such as lead acetate trihydrate, calcium carbonate and titanium isopropoxide, as starting materials, were mixed in aqueous solution. Pb_0.7Ca_0.3TiO₃ thin films were deposited on platinum-coated silicon and quartz substrates by means of the spinning technique. The surface morphology and crystal structure, dielectric and optical properties of the thin films were investigated. The electrical measurements were conducted on metal-ferroelectric-metal (MFM) capacitors. The typical measured small signal dielectric constant and dissipation factor at a frequency of 100 kHz were 299 and 0.065, respectively, for a thin film with 230 nm thickness annealed at 600°C for 2 h. The remanent polarization (2P_r) and coercive field (E _c) were 32 C/cm² and 100 kV/cm, respectively. Transmission spectra were recorded and from them, refractive index, extinction coefficient, and band gap energy were calculated. Thin films exhibited good optical transmissivity, and had optical direct transitions. The present study confirms the validity of the DiDomenico model for the interband transition, with a single electronic oscillator at 6.858 eV. The optical dispersion behavior of PCT thin film was found to fit well the Sellmeir dispersion equation. The band gap energy of the thin film, annealed at 600°C, was 3.56 eV. The results confirmed that soft solution processing provides an inexpensive and environmentally friendly route for the preparation of PCT thin films.     

Spectroellipsometric Characterization of Multilayer Sol-Gel Fe2O3 Films

Multilayer Fe₂O₃ films were deposited by the sol-gel method on glass substrates using three successive deposition procedures. The films were thermally treated for 1 h at 300°C.The optical and microstructural properties of these films were investigated by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) in the 500–1000 nm range. The optical gap was found by fitting the dispersion of the film refractive index (n) with the Wemple-DiDomenico (WDD) formula.The ellipsometric measurements showed also that the Fe₂O₃ films are anisotropic. The birefringence values (n) of the sol-gel films (0.05–0.08) are smaller than the large values of the Fe₂O₃ (which are around 0.28) but increase with the crystalization of the films. AFM mesurements showed that the films treated at 300°C start to crystallize.     

I2界面修饰对全无机CsPbBr3钙钛矿太阳能电池性能的影响

通过在 CsPbBr₃薄膜上旋涂一次 I₂的异丙醇溶液以修饰 CsPbBr₃吸光层,钝化 CsPbBr₃层表面缺陷,改善 CsPbBr₃薄膜形貌。同时通过利用环境友好的绿色溶剂水溶解 CsBr,显著提高了其溶解度,减少了旋涂次数,简化了电池制备流程。实验结果表明,在CsPbBr₃钙钛矿太阳能电池(perovskite solar cells,PSCs)中,使用5 mg·mL^-1 I₂的异丙醇溶液界面修饰的器件具有最佳光伏性能,其最高开路电压(open-circuit voltage,V_OC)为1.55 V,短路电流密度(short circuit current density,J_SC)为7.45 mA·cm^-2,填充因子(fill factor,FF)为85.54%,光电转换效率(photoelectric conversion efficiency,PCE)达到了9.88%。     

Fabrication and luminescent properties of rare earths-doped Gd2(WO4)3 thin film phosphors by Pechini sol-gel process

Rare earth ions (Eu³⁺ and Dy³⁺)-doped Gd₂(WO₄)₃ phosphor films were prepared by a Pechini sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as lifetimes were used to characterize the resulting powders and films. The results of XRD indicate that the films begin to crystallize at 600°C and the crystallinity increases with the elevation of annealing temperatures. The film is uniform and crack-free, mainly consists of closely packed fine particles with an average grain size of 80 nm. Owing to an energy transfer from WO₄²⁻ groups, the rare earth ions show their characteristic emissions in crystalline Gd₂(WO₄)₃ phosphor films, i.e., (J=0, 1, 2, 3; J′=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, not in all cases) transitions for Eu³⁺ and (J=13/2, 15/2) transitions for Dy³⁺, with the hypersensitive transitions (Eu³⁺) and (Dy³⁺) being the most prominent groups, respectively. Both the lifetimes and PL intensity of the Eu³⁺ () and Dy³⁺ () increase with increasing the annealing temperature from 500°C to 800°C, and the optimum doping concentrations for Eu³⁺ and Dy³⁺ are determined to be 30 and 6 at% of Gd³⁺ in Gd₂(WO₄)₃ film host lattices, respectively.     

Nonlinear Optical Susceptibility of Fe2O3 Thin Film Synthesized by a Modified Sol-Gel Method

The homogeneous transition metal oxide Fe₂O₃ thin films are synthesized in a modified sol-gel process by spin coating. The third order nonlinear optical susceptibility of the film is about 2 × 10^–9 esu at 488 nm wavelength by the z-scan method with a 180 femtosecond pulse laser beam. The film is expected to be useful for the application of nonlinear optical devices.     

Structure and Optical Properties of 0.1BiFeO3-0.9SrBi2Nb2O9 Thin Films Using a Modified Sol-Gel Technique

Fe-doped SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ precursor solution was synthesized using bismuth nitrate Bi(NO₃)₃·5H₂O, strontium nitrate Sr(NO₃)₂, iron nitrate Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, and niobium ethoxide Nb(OC₂H₅)₅ as starting materials, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (C₃H₈O₂) as the solvent. 0.1BiFeO₃-0.9SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ thin films were prepared on fused quartz substrates using sol-gel processing. The surface morphology and crystal structure and optical properties of the thin films were investigated. The thin film annealing at 400°C were found to be amorphous, and the thin films crystallize to a perovskite structure after a post-deposition annealing at 600°C for 1 h in air. The grain of thin film was evenly distributed. The thin films exhibit the designed optical transmission, while the optical transition is indirect in nature. Their optical band gap is about 2.5 eV.     

Preparation and Characterization of Amorphous ZrO2-SiO2 Composite Powders Processed by Sol-Gel Chemistry

Composite ZrO₂-SiO₂ powders, with different ZrO₂ contents, including pure ZrO₂ powders, were prepared by precipitation in SiO₂ suspensions, of zirconia gels from solutions of zirconyl chloride at pH = 11. These products were investigated in connection with the phase changes in ZrO₂ caused by heat-treatments. ZrO₂-SiO₂ mixtures containing 0–100% mol ZrO₂, were studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), temperature programmed desorption combined with mass spectroscopy (TPD-MS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), to obtain information on the morphological and structural features of the particles before and during the heat treatment up to 1200°C. Specific surface areas were determined using nitrogen adsorption by the BET method. The results offer an explanation about some of the factors which can be influencing on the stabilization of metastable-cubic/tetragonal (C/T) phase of ZrO₂ and the evolution of surface areas (vulcano profile) observed in the composites.