Structural, electrical and optical properties of sol-gel processed thin films of BaTiO₃ on ITO glass

BaTiO₃ thin films are prepared on ITO-coated Corning 1737 glass. The solution is prepared from a double metal ethoxide and the films are deposited by spin coating and annealing at 700°C for 2 hours in an O₂ atmosphere. The films are characterized using X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, micro-Raman, UV-VIS spectroscopy, and Sawyer-Tower Bridge. The pure perovskite phase of BaTiO₃ is identified by X-ray diffraction. The tetragonality is revealed from Raman study by identifying the symmetrical dependent Raman shift at about 306 cm^-1. The ferroelectricity of the film is confirmed by the P-E hysterisis loop. The films are highly transparent, with an absorption edge at 3.73eV. These desirable features indicate that the films have potential in electronic display and electro-optical applications.