Ferroelectric Relaxor Behavior and Spectroscopic Properties of Ba<SUP>2+</SUP> and Zr<SUP>4+</SUP> Modified Sodium Bismuth Titanate

Abstract

Polycrystalline ceramics (Na<SUB>0.5</SUB> Bi<SUB>0.5</SUB>)<SUB>1-x</SUB>Ba<SUB>x </SUB>Zr<SUB>y</SUB>Ti<SUB>1-y</SUB>O<SUB>3,</SUB> (BNBZT) (for x=0.10, 0.12; y=0.04), has been synthesized by conventional solid-state sintering. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates the formation of a single phase with tetragonal symmetry with pure perovskite structure. Scanning electron micrograph of the studied materials shows a distribution of grains. A broad dielectric peak with maximum permittivity has been observed near 1200 (for x=0.10, y=0.04) and 1600 (for x=0.12, y=0.04) respectively in the temperature range, RT–600℃. This result indicates that these materials may have great potential for a variety of high temperature applications. These ceramics show diffuse phase transition and the transition temperature shifting toward higher temperature with increasing frequency, which represents the relaxor behvaiour. The relaxor materials obey modified Curie–Weiss law and Vogel–Fulcher relationship. The values of the diffuseness parameter γ=2 for x = 0.10 and 1.67 for x = 0.12, obtained from the fit of a modified Curie-Weiss law established the relaxor type nature. For a more detailed interpretation of the ac data, the complex impedance (<i>Z*)</i> and electric modulus (<i>M*)</i> as a<i> </i>function of frequency <i>f</i> (i.e., 45 Hz–5 MHz) has been simultaneously analysed. Impedance study reveals that there exists a temperature dependent electrical relaxation phenomenon in the materials. Modulus represents hopping of ions and localized motion in studied compositions. Conductivity obey’s Jonscher law