Formation of highly-oriented and polycrystalline lanthanum nickelate filmsby a spin coating-pyrolysis process

LaNiO3 films were prepared by a spin coating-pyrolysis technique on various substrates using metal naphthenates as starting materials. By X-ray diffra ction theta -2 theta scan, highly oriented LaNiO3 films with smooth surface were prepared on SrTiO3 (100) and LaAlO3(012) substrates, while the films on sapphire (0001) and polycrystalline Y2O3-doped ZrO2 exhibited random ori entation. The highly-oriented LaNiO3 films on SrTiO3(100) and LaAlO3(012) s howed a good metallic character. In this study, we conclude that lattice-mi smatches between films and substrates used affect him properties such as cr ystallization, surface morphology and resistivity. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.