Effect of Nd doping on the structural, optical and dielectric properties of BaTi0.95Sn0.05O3 ceramics

Abstract

Single-phase (Nd2x∕3Ba1−x)(Ti0.95Sn0.05)O3; NBTS, (x = 0.000, 0.005, 0.010 and 0.015) with tetragonal perovskite structures are synthesized by the conventional solid-state reaction method. The effect of Nd doping in BaTi0.95Sn0.05O3 has been studied for microstructural, optical, and dielectric properties. Rietveld refinement of XRD data confirms the phase purity of the sample. Doping of Nd leads to the reduction of lattice parameter and cell volume compared to the undoped sample. The dielectric constant and tangent loss for x = 0.005 i.e., 0.33% of Nd doped BaTi0.95Sn0.05O3 is ~3047 and 0.031 as compared to undoped sample (785 and 0.169), respectively. Minor quantities of Nd-doping in BaTi0.95Sn0.05O3 enhance the dielectric response by reducing dielectric loss. XPS study confirms the charge compensation in NBTS ceramics, which causes intrinsic defects and, strongly affects the dielectric properties of NBTS ceramics. The Nd doping also results in the transition from normal ferroelectrics to a relaxor-like ferroelectrics.