Formation of SrBi 2 Ta 2 O 9 : Part I. Synthesis and characterization of a novel “sol-gel” solution for production of ferroelectric SrBi 2 Ta 2 O 9 thin films

We have developed a simple and rapid method for the synthesis of a precursor solution used in the production of SBT powders and thin films of the layered-perovskite phase SrBi{sub 2}Ta{sub 2}O{sub 9} (SBT). Precursor solution preparation takes less than 30 min and involves the generation of two solutions: (a) Bi(O{sub 2}CMe){sub 3} dissolved in pyridine and (b) Ta(OCH{sub 2}Me){sub 5} added to Sr(O{sub 2}CMe){sub 2} and then solubilized by HO{sub 2}CMe. After stirring separately for 10 min, these solutions are combined, stirred for an additional 10 min, and used without any further modifications. The individual solutions and ternary mixture were studied using a variety of analytical techniques. Films of the layered-perovskite phase were formed at temperatures as low as 700{degree}C. Ferroelectric testing of SBT films, fired at 750{degree}C, reveals standard hysteresis loops with no fatigure for up to 4{times}10{sup 9} cycles. {copyright} {ital 1996 Materials Research Society.}