Deposition of La2Zr2O7 Film by Chemical Solution Deposition

TL;DR

This study investigates the chemical solution deposition of La2Zr2O7 films, focusing on how processing conditions affect film quality and residual carbon content, with implications for optimizing film crystallinity and texture.

Contribution

It demonstrates how gas flow speed influences the texture of La2Zr2O7 films and discusses the impact of residual carbon from pyrolysis during chemical solution deposition.

Findings

Optimal conditions (950°C, specific gas flow) yield high-quality La2Zr2O7 films.

Residual carbon remains in films deposited under reducing conditions.

Gas flow rate affects the cube texture volume fraction in films.

Abstract

La2Zr2O7 (LZO) formation of bulk powders and of films by Chemical Solution Deposition (CSD) process have been studied using propionates. The treatment involved a one step cycle in the reducing forming gas (Ar-5%H2) to be compatible with Ni-5at%W RABITS. Large amount of residual carbon was found in LZO powders formed in these conditions (10 wt %). The volume fraction of the cube texture in LZO films on Ni-5at%w RABITS was found to be a function of the speed of the gas flown above sample. This phenomenon is discussed in considering the C deposited from the carbon-containing gases emitted during the pyrolysis of the precursor. Using proper conditions (950 ^\circC and the speed of gas of 6.8\times10^{-2} m/s), LZO films with good surface crystallinity could be obtained on Ni-5at%W RABITS as demonstrated by X-ray diffraction, electron backscattered diffraction and RHEED. The existence of residual carbon in oxide films is a common question to films deposited by CSD processes under reducing condition.