Influence of seeding layers and PbO cover-layers on the orientation and microstructure of PLZT thin films

The (Pb0.91La0.09)(Zr0.65Ti0.35)O3 (PLZT) films were prepared on indium tin oxide-coated glass substrates by a sol–gel method. The (Pb0.9La0.1)TiO3 (PLT) films were used as seeding layers and PbO cover-layers were used to minimize evaporative loss of PbO during annealing. To fabricate these films and layers, lead acetate, lanthanum acetate, zirconium n-propoxide and titanium isopropoxide were used as starting materials, with 2-methoxyethanol and 1-propanol as a solvent. The dependence of the thickness of seeding layers on the orientation of the PLZT thin films was investigated. By the application of seeding layers and cover-layers, the changes of the perovskite formation temperature, the microstructure and the transmittances were also studied.