Crystal growth of ferroelectric PbTiO3 nanocrystals on silicon substrate via intermediates

► A unique phenomenon for PT crystal growth process on Si (1 0 0) substrate was observed. ► An “aggregation-self-assembly-coarsen” process was the dominant mechanism. ► Intermediates have been observed on Si (1 0 0) substrate during this process. ► Intermediates were constructed by self-assembly of Pb-Ti oxide nanocrystals.