Chemical solution deposition and characterization of BiFeO3 thin films

One of the most interesting category of multifunctional systems is the magnetoelectrics (ME), i.e., materials having simultaneous magnetic and ferroelectric activity. esent paper describes a simple low-temperature synthesis method of preparing bismuth ferrite thin films by a wet chemical route, using bismuth and iron nitrates and two chelating agents (citric acid and polyvinyl alcohol). The films were layer by layer deposited on substrate (silica glass) using the dip-coating technique. The thickness of the layers were controlled by viscosity of the solutions and withdrawing speed parameters. After specific annealing, in air, the samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy SEM, spectroelipsometry SE, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy XPS, Raman spectroscopy. thoroughly control of the processing parameters seems to be essential in obtaining BiFeO3 thin films. Solution chemistry variations (differences in precursor type) can have a significant impact on the film properties.