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The present paper describes a simple low-temperature synthesis method of preparing bismuth ferrite thin films by sol-gel route, using bismuth nitrates and iron chloride, acetic acid and ethylene glycol. The films were layer by layer deposited on substrate (copper) using the spin-coating technique. The thickness of the layers was controlled by viscosity of the solutions and withdrawing speed parameters. After specific annealing, in air, the samples were characterized by x-ray diffractrometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrical properties measurements. A more thoroughly control of the processing parameters seems to be essential in obtaining BiFeO3 thin films. Solution chemistry variations (differences in precursor type) can have a significant impact on the film properties. Conditions for synthesizing single BiFeO3 phase are critical since the temperature stability range of the phase is very narrow. Moreover, it is also difficult to control oxygen stoichiometry in the sample.

BiFeO3 --- Sol-gel --- Low-temperature synthesis --- Thin films