Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 February 2011
Thin films of pure barium titanate have been prepared by the sol-gel process from organomettalic sols containing titanium alkoxides and barium acetate (molar ratio [Ba]/[Ti]=l). It leads to transparent, homogeneous and adherent coatings. The influence of various parameters such as chemical concentration, viscosity, withdrawal speed and temperature of densification on film thickness is described. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction during their heat treatment. Their crystallization temperature was observed to be around 450°C. No variations in the optical properties were observed during the crystallization, and it occurred without the appearance of cracks or pinholes. Tetragonal BaTiO3 structure was observed, and the ferroeletric properties were investigated as functions of thickness and grain size.