AGING CHARACTERISTICS OF A HYBRID SOL-GEL PB(ZR,TI)O-3 PRECURSOR SOLUTION

The ''aging'' characteristics of an acetic acid/methanol solvent-based lead zirconate titanate (PZT) precursor solution, prepared by the Inv erted Mixing Order (IMO) process, have been studied for an extended pe riod of time. The changes in film properties were characterized using optical microscopy, optical scattering, and ferroelectric testing. Fil ms generated from the IMO process exhibit an increase in thickness as a function of solution age due to chemical ''aging'' (esterification) of the precursor solution. This increased thickness results in a decre ase in the microstructural uniformity, which affects the electrical an d optical properties. In order to understand and eventually control th is phenomenon, we have quantified the ''aging'' of this solution using a variety of analytical methods, including H-1 NMR spectroscopy, pH m easurements, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It is of note that we have discovered a method that circumvents this ''agin g'' problem by removal of the volatile material, forming an IMO powder which can be redissolved to produce high quality PZT thin films whene ver desired.