A Study on the Piezoelectric Properties of PZT and Doped PZT Thin Films by Sol-Gel Method

This study examined the effect of crystalline orientation and dopants such as Nb and Zn on the piezoelectric coefficient of sol-gel driven Pb1(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3(PZT) and doped PZT thin films. Crack-free 1-μm-thick PZT and doped PZT thin films prepared by using 2-Methoxyethanol-based sol-gel method were fabricated on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates. The highly (111) oriented PZT thin films of pure perovskite structure could be obtained by controlling various parameters such as a PbTiO3 seed layer and a concentration of sol-gel solution. The Nb-Zn doped PZT thin films exhibited high piezoelectric coefficient which was about 50 % higher than that of undoped PZT thin film. The highest measured piezoelectric coefficient was 240 pC/N, which could be applicable to piezoelectrically operated MEMS actuator, sensor, or energy harvester devices.