Ferroelectric response from lead zirconate titanate thin films prepared directly on low-resistivity copper substrates

We demonstrate films of the well-known ferroelectric lead zirconate titanate (PZT) prepared directly on copper foils by chemical solution deposition (CSD). The films exhibit saturating polarization hysteresis, remanent polarization values of 26μC∕cm2, and permittivities of 800; these properties are comparable to those achieved using semiconductor-grade substrates. The preparation methodology is founded upon an understanding of solution chemistry as opposed to conventional gas-phase ∕ condensed-phase equilibrium approaches. By adopting this technique, base-metal compatibility can be achieved using much lower temperatures, and a broader set of devices can be prepared offering intimate contact with high conductivity, easily patternable, or ferromagnetic metals.