Synthesis and analyses of thermal decomposition and microstructure of Sr-doped barium titanate alkoxide derived precipitates and thin films

The structure and thermal decomposition process of Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 (BST) pow ders and thin films, which were prepared from a precursor of Sr-doped bariu m titanate alkoxides, were investigated by means of differential thermal/th ermogravimetric analyses (DTA/TGA), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), AFM, and Fo urier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements. From the FTIR sp ectra, it has been possible to observe that gel powders pyrolyzed and cryst allized by analyzing the bands of organic functional groups and inorganic o xides. For further determination of the temperature of decomposition and cr ystallization, DTA/TGA technique was used. The thin films of Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 were prepared by spin-on sol-gel process on Si (1 0 0) substrates, the fil ms were crystallized above 600 degrees C, and formed complete perovskite st ructure around 700 degrees C. The morphology was investigated by atomic for ce microscope. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.