Synthesis and characterization of BiFeO3-PbTiO3 thin films through metalorganic precursor solution

Perovskite (1 - x)BiFeO3-xPbTiO(3) thin films have been synthesized by the chemical solution deposition of metalorganic compounds. Homogeneous and stable BiFeO3-PbTiO3 precursor solutions were prepared by selecting appropriate starting materials and 2-methoxyethanol as a solvent. Perovskite BiFeO3-PbTiO3 powder samples with a composition ranging from x = 0.1 to 0.5 showed weak ferromagnetism at room temperature. Perovskite BiFeO3-PbTiO3 single-phase thin films on Pt/TiOx/SiO2/Si substrates with good surface morphology were also fabricated by optimizing the PbTiO3 content. Ferroelectric polarization-electric field (P-E) hysteresis loops were observed for 0.7BiFeO(3)-0.3PbTiO(3) thin films, although some leakage current components are included at room temperature. The electrical resistivity of the BiFeO3-PbTiO3 films was improved in the low temperature region, and the remnant polarization and coercive field of the 700 degrees C-prepared 0.7BiFeO(3)-0.3PbTiO(3) thin films at -190 degrees C were approximately 50 mu C/cm(2) and 150 kV/cm, respectively. Furthermore, Mn doping into BiFeO3-PbTiO3 was effective in improving the ferroelectric properties of the resultant thin films at room temperature.