Polarization reversal in BaTiO3 nanostructures synthesized by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

Ferroelectric BaTiO3 nanostructures and thin films were deposited by a microwave assisted hydrothermal process at low temperatures (<250 °C) on metallic Pt/Al2O3/SiO2/Si and Nb:SrTiO3 (100) substrates. TiO2 nanoparticles dispersed in the Ba(OH)2 alkaline solution are used as the precursors withoutany mineralizers. The incorporation of H2O2 into precursor solution served as a strong oxidant and catalyst for the uniform nucleation of BaTiO3 on the substrate surface. The polycrystalline and epitaxial nature of the films were confirmed by atomic force microscopy and x-ray diffraction studies. We report the ferroelectric behavior of BaTiO3 films on Nb:SrTiO3 (100) substrates by piezoresponse force microscopy.