Abstract
The effect of platinum (Pt) on the leakage currents of lead barium zirconate (PBZ) films was studied. The leakage current is reduced by two orders of magnitude by Pt doping. The transport mechanisms of PBZ films are also analysed. The leakage mechanism is found to change from interface-limited conduction to mixed conduction after Pt doping. It is proposed that the internal stresses suppress the leakage current and change the conduction mechanism. The stresses are considered to be caused by lattice distortion due to the presence of Pt inside the PBZ films, which is confirmed by XPS and Raman spectrum. © 2007 IOP Publishing Ltd.