Characterization and synthesis of cubic Zn2TiO4 crystalline films deposited on MgAl2O4 (100) substrates

Abstract Cubic Zinc titanate (Zn2TiO4) films were deposited on magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4) (100) substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The film annealed at 950°C in air exhibited the best crystalline quality with a dominant orientation along the Zn2TiO4 (400). The relationship between Zn2TiO4 films and MgAl2O4 (100) substrates was determined as Zn2TiO4 (400)‖MgAl2O4 (400) with Zn2TiO4 [001]‖MgAl2O4 [001] by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) analysis. A diagram was proposed to illustrate the crystalline growth mechanism. The optical band gap of the film annealed at 950°C, which was evaluated by the reflectance spectrum, was 3.09 eV.