Chapter 4 - Microstructure–property relationships: How the microstructure of the film affects its properties

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the microstructure–property relationships. There are many ways in which the microstructure of a material can vary; the presence of the substrate, electrodes, and other device materials can affect the behavior and give rise to different microstructure dependencies to those exhibited by bulk materials. This chapter provides an overview of the major features that should be taken into consideration when exploring how the microstructure may influence the material properties. Many of the material properties are influenced by microstructural features in the same way and therefore follow very similar behavior. This chapter outlines the different microstructural features affecting the functional material properties. It explores the property specific behavior by discussing the relationship between ferroelectric, pyroelectric, piezoelectric, and dielectric materials; ferroelectric properties; relative permittivity; dielectric loss; electrical breakdown strength and electrical conductivity; ionic and thermal conductivity. It also discusses the mechanical properties including stiffness, strength, and toughness.