Characterization of self-assembling isolated ferroelectric domains by scanning force microscopy

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films were prepared by a sol–gel process on platinized Si substrate. Their microstructure and surface morphology were characterized by XRD and Scanninn Force Microscopy. Phase transformation of the prepared PZT films from pyrochlore to ferroelectric was observed by XRD and PFM (piezoresponse force microscopy), respectively. Self-assembling nano-structured ferroelectric phases are fabricated by solution deposition technique followed by the controlling kinetics of the transformation. Complex structures of ferroelectric domains in the isolated ferroelectric phases were found in the furnace annealed PZT films in the temperature range of 400–500°C. Single ferroelectric domain structure in the isolated ferroelectric phases could be found in thinner PZT films and used to study the size effect of laterally confined ferroelectric domains.