Sequence of Phase Formation in Chemically Derived Ferroelectric Lead Zirconate Titanate Pb(Zr0.4Ti0.6)O3 Thin Films

A qualitative model for the sequence of phase transforma‐tions leading to perovskite phase formation in sol–gel‐derived PZT thin films is presented. It is suggested that for sol–gel‐derived Pb(ZrxTi1–x)O3 (x = 0.4) thin films, prepared using the molecularly modified alkoxide precursors (MMAP) approach, complete (or partial) conversion of the originally amorphous film into a “pyrochlore” phase, although possible, may not be necessary. Differences between the sequence of phase formation encountered in the tradi‐tional (oxide‐mix) synthesis and that in chemically derived ceramics are discussed. The sequence of phase formation in these thin films also appears to be intertwined with the texture development in that a (111) PZT texture develop‐ment appears to be controlled by nucleation of the perovs‐kite phase, assisted by a solid‐phase epitaxial effect, and the (100)/(001) texture appears to be growth controlled.x