Preparation and characterization of PLT thick-films produced by a chemical route

Thick-films of lanthanum modified lead titanate ceramic (Pb1−xLax)TiO3 with x=0.10, 0.15 and 0.20 were prepared by a co-precipitation chemical process where oxide powders were used as precursors. The co-precipitated particles were dispersed in an organic vehicle in order to prepare the material for deposition. The films were deposited by dip coating on corning 7059 glass and chrome/nickel alloy substrates. The initially deposited films were amorphous and a heat treatment was necessary to crystallize them. Initially, the heat treatment was for volatilizing the organic material present in the films and in a second stage to crystallize them at higher temperatures. The crystallization of the films was monitored through X-ray diffraction analysis. The dielectric constant was measured at 1 kHz and the observed values were compared with those of bulk ceramic. The phase transition temperature of the films with x=0.20 was measured and the value observed agreed with those of bulk ceramic.