Nanoscale observation of domain configuration and switching of ferroelectric nanolayers

Abstract

A sol-gel method is used to make ferroelectric Pb(Zr 0.52Ti 0.48)O 3 (PZT) nanolayers. Highly (100) and (111) oriented PZT nanolayers are prepared on Pt/Ti coated SiO 2/Si(100). Drying conditions before crystallizing heat treatments have been explored over a wide range of temperature, Structural properties, surface morphology, and electrical properties are studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and polarization-electric field measurement, respectively. Ferroelectric domains in the nanolayers are observed by using atomic force microscopy, registering the electrostatic force response of the nanolayers in the presence of a low ac field. It is found that as-grown domain configuration and poling behavior are strongly dependent on drying temperature conditions, suggesting that an adequate exposure to air during the coating process is related to domain formation and its reversal dynamics.