Uncovering the Possibilities of Ceramic Ba(1−x)CoxTiO3 Nanocrystals: Heightened Electrical and Dielectric Attributes

Abstract

The hydrothermal synthesis of Ba1−xCoxTiO3 (BCT) ceramic nanocrystals across varied substitution fractions (x = 0, …, 1) is the subject of this study. Hydrothermal synthesis is well known for producing high-purity and well-crystallized nanocrystals. A thorough examination is conducted to examine the effects on the structural and electrical properties of the resultant BCT nanocrystals by altering the cobalt substitution fraction. X-ray diffraction (XRD) is used to analyze the structure, while complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS) is used to analyze the electrical properties. As the cobalt content rises, XRD examination reveals a smooth transition from the ferroelectric BaTiO3 phase to the ferromagnetic CoTiO3 phase, offering extensive insights into the phase composition and crystallographic alterations. This phase shift is important because it creates new opportunities to adjust the properties of the material for particular uses. The electrical activity of BCT nanocrystals is clarified further by CIS measurements. A distribution of relaxation times, frequently linked to complex microstructures or heterogeneous materials, is suggested by the detected non-Debye relaxation. A thermally activated conduction process, in which higher temperatures promote the passage of charge carriers, is suggested by the temperature-dependent increase in conductivity. This behavior is strongly dependent on the cobalt content, suggesting that cobalt enhances electrical conductivity and crystallinity through a catalytic effect. A frequency-dependent dielectric constant that rises with temperature and cobalt content is shown by investigating the dielectric characteristics of BCT nanocrystals. Improved polarization mechanisms inside the material are suggested by this increase in dielectric constant, which may be the result of cobalt ion presence. With a thorough grasp of the dielectric behavior, the examination of the loss angle further validates the non-Debye relaxation process.