Microstructure modulation of a Bi4Ti3O12 thin film system by combining the effect of a simple processing methodology with a co-doping strategy involving Nd3+ and Nb5+

A microstructure based on plate-like grains is expected in the obtaining of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ ferroelectric ceramics, promoted by the Aurivillius crystalline structure that this material exhibit. This grain morphology would lead to conductivity making the functional response unpractical. In this frame, we address the control of the crystal growth which leads to this grain morphology by combining the effect of a simple thin film obtaining procedure with doping strategies. On the one hand, an aqueous solution-gel plus spin-coating methodology is performed here for the obtaining of these thin films. On the other hand, a simultaneous incorporation of Nd³⁺ and Nb⁵⁺ in the crystal lattice replacing Bi³⁺ and Ti⁴⁺, respectively, is conducted in this contribution. The results obtained by X-ray diffraction, UV–visible measurements and FESEM confirm that the incorporated dopants are able to block (or at least control) the mentioned crystal growth.