Lowering Synthesis Temperature of BaTiO<inf>3</inf>-Bi(Zn<inf>0.5</inf>Zr<inf>0.5</inf>)O<inf>3</inf> Ceramics by Salt Flux Assistance and Dielectric Properties Investigations

Abstract

Phase formations and dielectric properties of lead free barium titanate bismuth zinc zirconate, BaTiO3-Bi(Zn0.5Zr0.5)O3 (BT-BZZ), were comparatively investigated between two different synthesis routes, solid state reaction and salt flux assistance methods. The perovskite (1-x)BT-(x)BZZ ceramics, where x = 0.02, 0.05 and 0.10, were synthesized by using reagent grade oxides and the NaCl salt was used as a surface active agent to lower the calcination temperature. Phase formations were examined by X-ray diffraction technique (XRD). It was found that the solid solutions of (1-x)BT-(x)BZZ can be obtained with lower temperature at least 200 °C via salt flux assistance method. The NaCl salt addition could result in single phase of perovskite structure at every compositions with the calcination temperature as low as 800 °C. Dielectric measurements revealed that the Curie temperature (Tc) shifted to lower temperature with increase of BZZ concentration. Moreover, the dielectric behavior transformed to diffuse phase transition when x = 0.1. The samples prepared via salt flux assistance method exhibited smaller grain size which were revealed by scanning electron microscope. In addition, P-E hysteresis measurements illustrated the higher high E-field dielectric constant with the narrower P-E loop when the salt flux was applied.