New sol-gel route for processing of PMN thin films

Pyrochlore free Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O-3 (PMN) thin films were prepared from mixed-metal precursors solutions using the sol-gel process. Lead acetate [Pb(CH3COO)(2)], magnesium acetate [Mg(CH3COO)(2)] and niobium ethoxide [Nb(C2H5O)5] were used as starting materials, while 2-isopropoxy-ethanol was chosen as solvent. The reactivity of the precursors was investigated in order to understand and control the process and thus to prevent the contamination of the PMN with the pyrochlore phase. The solution was spin-coated on TiO2/Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si substrate. The thin films were characterized by SEM and XRD while dielectric measurements were performed on the bulk ceramic.