Crystallization and texture of Bi-containing layered perovskite thin films

Crystallization and texture formation of a number of layered perovskite thin films prepared by the MOD method has been investigated. The crystallization temperature increases with increasing complexity of the structure, rendering it more difficult to obtain c-axis oriented films. Texture formation can be facilitated by the introduction of a seeding layer, such as PbBi₂Nb₂O₉, which has a somewhat lower crystallization temperature, and by multiple coatings, which allow successive crystallization. Grain size is also reduced by the above practice. These results are compared with similar findings in PZT thin films to conclude that texture development in layered perovskites is nucleation controlled.