Preparation of SrBi2Ta2O9 thin films with a single alkoxide sol–gel precursor

Abstract

For the first time, a single alkoxide sol–gel precursor solution for the ferroelectric strontium bismuth tantalate (SrBi ₂ Ta ₂ O ₉ , SBT) was synthesized and utilized for the fabrication of its thin films. The precursor was prepared from a 2-methoxyethanol solution of Sr(OCH ₂ CH ₂ OCH ₃ ) ₂ , Bi(OCH ₂ CH ₂ OCH ₃ ) ₃ , and Ta(OCH ₂ CH ₂ OCH ₃ ) ₅ . ¹ H and ¹³ C NMR spectra of the precursor in benzene show only one set of alkoxy groups, indicating the same chemical environment in solution. This observation suggests that it is a single sol–gel precursor, which is ideal for the sol–gel processing of SBT thin films. The SBT films derived from this precursor present outstanding ferroelectric properties and surface morphology.