Comparison of Grain Structure, Electrical and Magnetic Properties of BaTiO3 and Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 Ceramics Sintered Using Microwave and Conventional Techniques

Santiranjan Shannigrahi,Chee Tan

doi:10.3390/technologies3010047

Abstract

BaTiO3 (BT) and Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 (NZF) ceramic disc specimens were prepared using commercial grade powders sintering by conventional (CV) and microwave (MW) sintering techniques. In both the sintering techniques the set sintering temperatures were in the range of 850 °C to 1000 °C and time from 0.5 to 2 h. Structure, microstructure, dielectric, ferroelectric and magnetic properties have been compared for the as sintered BT and NZF ceramic specimens. Comparatively large grain size and higher density observed for the samples sintered at same temperature and shorter holding time using microwave. Magnetic properties of the NZF samples sintered using MW at a temperature of 950 °C show a higher saturation magnetization (Ms) value of 88 emu/g.

Highlights

The grain growth in polycrystalline ceramics during sintering process of powders is an extremely important phenomenon
Most of the useful properties of BT and NZF ceramics are governed by their grain size, so control of homogeneous grain growth at reduced temperatures will be quite useful for the scientific community as well as industry
No evidence of unwanted phase formation has been found, which indicates that there is no loss of stoichiometry in these ceramics; i.e. they remain phase pure single phase [4,6]

Summary

Introduction

The grain growth in polycrystalline ceramics during sintering process of powders is an extremely important phenomenon. Many different properties of ceramics depend on the final grain size of the ceramic body. In this regard, BaTiO3 (BT) is being chosen as it has several important functional properties in addition to its lead free nature. Multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) based on BT are one of Technologies 2015, 3 the most important electronic components in surface mounted electronic circuits etc. While BT and NZF ceramics are well studied, they are still a topic of active research in order to further enhance or optimize their properties. Most of the useful properties of BT and NZF ceramics are governed by their grain size, so control of homogeneous grain growth at reduced temperatures will be quite useful for the scientific community as well as industry

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Results

Conclusion