Photosensitive ferroelectlic Sr0.9Bi2.1Ta2O9 (SBT) precursor solutions were synthesized using strontium ethoxide chelated with ethylacetoacetone, tetramethylheptanedionato bismuth and tantalum ethoxide chelated with ethylacetoacetone. SBT thin films with 200 nm thickness were prepared on Pt/TiO2/SiO2/Si Substrates using the spin coating method. As UV light exposure time to the SBT thin film increased, the intensity of the UV absorption peak of the metal beta-diketonate decreased due to metal -oxygen -metal bond formation, which led to decreased solubility of SBT thin film. The solubility difference enabled direct patterning of thin films that had ferroelectric properties. The ferroelectric properties of the UV irradiated SBT thin films were superior to those of the non-UV irradiated films. Pr/Ps and 2 Pr values (at 3 V) of SBT thin films improved approximately 8% and 5%, respectively, with UV irradiation. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.