Preparation of perovskite Pb(Zn1∕3Nb2∕3)O3-based thin films from polymer-modified solution precursors

Epitaxial perovskite Pb(Zn1∕3Nb2∕3)O3 (PZN)-based ferroelectric thin films were prepared through a chemical solution approach, in which the solution precursors were appropriately modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG). The addition of PEG in the solution dramatically promoted the perovskite phase while suppressed the pyrochlore phase, although PEG was pyrolyzed before the crystallization. The interactions between PEG and metal ions were identified through examining the chemical states of the ions using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of an obtained thin film sample with a composition of 0.462PZN–0.308PMN–0.23PT [PT:PbTiO3;PMN:Pb(Mg1∕3Nb2∕3)O3] were characterized, showing a very low coercive field, high dielectric constant, and strong piezoelectric effect.