An aging effect due to a domain evolution in (K0.5,Na0.5)Nb0.97Sb0.03O3 <001> textured ceramics was investigated by piezoresponse force microscopy. We find that such an aging effect is pronounced in the orthorhombic single phase field. A more uniform
and finer domain structure was found with aging, which was believed to originate from defect-migration. After poling, large domains with smooth boundaries were found in the aged condition.
A novel approach to control the grain size of oxide thin film materials has been investigated. Perovskite BaTiO3 shows interesting grain structures when deposited on gold predeposited, (111)-oriented, singlecrystal SrTiO3 substrates. Solid oxide film
s grow epitaxially on patterned seed layers and show variations in grain size relative to the films deposited on SrTiO3 directly.
