Improved dielectric properties of lead zirconate titanate thin films deposited on metal foils with LaNiO3 buffer layers

Improved dielectric properties of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films deposited on a variety of foils using buffer layers are reported. Foils include titanium, stainless steel, and nickel with LaNiO3(LNO) buffer layers which were prepared by sol–gel processing. High dielectric constant (330 for stainless steel, 420 for titanium, and 450 for nickel foils), low dielectric loss (<2.2% for titanium and 8% for stainless steel), symmetric ferroelectric C–V characteristics and P–E curves were obtained. The LNO layers are shown to provide an effective diffusion barrier for Ni and Cr and to restrict oxide layer formation (i.e., TiOx or NiOx) between the PZT film and the metallic foils during annealing in air.