A study of the crystallization of CSD-prepared La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 thin films using analytical electron microscopy

The crystallisation of chemical solution deposition (CSD) prepared La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 (LSCO) thin films was studied using analytical electron microscopy (AEM). In the first stages of crystallisation, where the particle size was in the nanometer range, experimental selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns were compared to calculated (simulated) patterns in order to determine the phase composition. In samples prepared at 350°C an amorphous phase, nanocrystalline Sr(NO3)2 and Co3O4 were found as well as large crystals (up to 0.5 μm) of SrCO3. Samples annealed at 500°C consisted mainly of the cubic LSCO (perovskite) phase and an amorphous phase. In samples fired at 650°C the pure perovskite phase with a grain size of 50–150 nm was found.