Preparation of multiferroic lead iron niobate thin film with low crystallization temperature via sol–gel method using monoethanolamine

• Published in: Hanʼguk Seramik Hakhoe chi Vol. 60; no. 5; pp. 840 - 844
• Main Authors: Lee, Young-Jin, Park, Ji-Hun, Cho, Jae-Hyeon, Rau, Uwe, Ding, Kaining, Jo, Wook
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 01.09.2023
• Subjects: Ceramics; Chemistry and Materials Science; Composites; Glass; Materials Science; Natural Materials; Original Article; Monoethanolamine; Sol–gel method; Spin coating; Lead iron niobate
• ISSN: 1229-7801; 2234-0491
• DOI: 10.1007/s43207-023-00301-9

This study reports the synthesis of a multiferroic lead iron niobate (PbFe 1/2 Nb 1/2 O 3 , PFN) thin film with a low crystallization temperature using monoethanolamine (MEA) as a chelating agent via a sol–gel method. The results revealed that the presence of MEA led the Nb precursor to react at ~ 150 °C instead of 325–350 °C, thus indicating that the Nb precursor reacted first with the Fe precursor rather than the Pb precursor. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the addition of MEA allowed the PFN thin films to be sintered as a single phase at low temperatures (~500 °C), while this can be only achieved at temperatures above 800 °C in the absence of MEA. The scanning electron microscope images revealed that the obtained PFN thin film was uniformly coated on the SiO 2 /Si substrate both in the absence and presence of MEA. Consequently, the presence of MEA can broaden the application scope of PFN thin films in photovoltaic devices.