Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Composite BaTiO3/polymer films (<1μm thickness) were processed by the in-situ growth of BaTiO3 particles in a polymer matrix. A solution of a polybutadiene/polystyrene triblock copolymer and titanium diisoproxide bis(ethlyacetoacetate) dissolved in toluene was cast onto a Ag-coated substrate. Subsequent hydrothermal treatment of the films in 1.0 M Ba(OH)2 solutions at 80° C resulted in the nucleation and growth of BaTiO3 within the polymer matrix. The volume fraction/connectivity of BaTiO3 was controlled by varying the relative amounts of titanium precursor and polymer in solution. Growth of BaTiO3 within the polymer was examined by infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The dielectric constant of the composite films increased with BaTiO3 content.