Fabrication and characterization of lead silicate doped PZT thin films

The crystal structure, surface morphology and electrical properties of PbSiOx (PSO) doped Pb(Zr,Ti)O-3 (PZT) thin films were systematically investigated. The starting solutions of PSO-doped PZT were prepared by mixing sol-gel solutions of PZT and PSO. RTA-calcined thin films were crystallized by means of an oxygen partial pressure controlled post-annealing process. After the calcining process, lightly doped PZT thin films containing an amount of PSO dopant less than 1.0 at.% exhibit (111)-preferred orientation , and fine grains having a diameter of 50 nm and column-like structure. As the amount of PSO dopant is increased to 5.0 at.%, the (111) peaks becomes obscure and the (100) peaks together with the minor (110) peaks becones dominant. The column-like structure exceeds 500 nm. Further increasing the level of PSO dopant to 20.0 at.% causes the appearance of a pyrochlore phase having an extremely smooth surface without apparent grains. On the other hand, after the post-annealing process, the pyrochlore phase seen in the heavily doped PZT remarkably disappears, replaced by a perovskite phase together with PSO. The remanent polarization (Pr) gradually decreases as the amount of PSO dopant increases. The break down voltage, fatigue, imprint and other reliability parameters are improved within the proper doping range.