Phase Transition Of Diffuse Type Research Articles

Electrical Properties of Ba0.96Ca0.04Ti0.90Sn0.10O₃ Lead-Free Ceramics with the Addition of Nano-CeO₂.

Well dispersed CeO₂ nanoparticles are prepared by azeotropic co-precipitation method. (Ba0.96Ca0.04)(Ti0.90Sn0.10)O₃ lead-free piezoelectric ceramics doped with nano-CeO₂ (x =0 mol%, 0.03 mol%, and 0.07 mol%) and micro-CeO₂ (x = 0.03 mol%) are prepared at 1430 °C for 2 h by the conventional solid state sintering method. XRD diffraction indicates that all components have typical perovskite structure. Both doping of nano-CeO₂ and micro-CeO₂ can inhibit grain growth. And the average grain size decreased apparently with the increase of nano-CeO₂ amount. All the samples exhibit typical diffuse phase transition behavior. The optimized electrical performances are obtained at x = 0.03 mol% with d33 = 512 pC/N, kp = 41.5%, and Pr = 14.00 μC/cm².

Structure and enhanced piezoelectric performance of BiScO3-PbTiO3-Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3 ternary high temperature piezoelectric ceramics

BiScO3-PbTiO3 based solid solutions are the most promising candidates in high temperature piezoelectric application field. In this research, (1-x-y)BiScO3-xPbTiO3-yPb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3 (BS-xPT-yPNN) ternary high temperature piezoelectric ceramics have been prepared by the traditional solid-state reaction methods and investigated in detail. X-Ray diffraction analysis shows that the system has a pure perovskite structure and the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) region shifts to the low PT region with the increasing PNN end member. The room temperature phase diagram has been drawn to predict the MPB region and search for the optimal electrical properties of the BS-xPT-yPNN ternary solid solutions. The dielectric temperature spectra present typical diffuse phase transition characteristic caused by the production of chemical heterogeneities with the introduction of PNN. For the BS-xPT-0.025PNN system, the optimal properties of the piezoelectric coefficient d33 522 pC/N, planar electromechanical coupling factor kp 59.6%, remnant polarization Pr 39.2 μC/cm2, and the Curie temperature Tc 400 °C are obtained for the BS-0.61PT-0.025PNN composition. Furthermore, the piezoelectric performance declines a little to 495 pC/N and 59% of the BS-0.60PT-0.05PNN composition with the increase of PNN content, which is also equivalent to that of the unmodified BS-PT and other modified BS-PT such as the BS-PT-PZN system. All these properties reveal that the BS-xPT-yPNN ceramics constitute a new family of high performance high temperatures piezoelectric materials.

Dielectric and Ferroelectric Properties of Ho<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> Doped Barium Strontium Titanate Ceramicsq

The crystalline structure, surface morphology, dielectric and ferroelectric properties of 0~10wt% Ho2O3 doped (Ba0.75Sr0.25) TiO3 ceramics prepared by conventional solid state method were studied using X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscopy, LCR measuring system and ferroelectric property test systems aiming for ceramic capacitor applications. It is found that proper amount of Ho2O3 can refine grains of the system. With the increase of Ho2O3 doping content, the average grain size of (Ba0.75Sr0.25) TiO3 ceramics decreases. When Ho2O3>8 wt%, (Ba0.75Sr0.25) TiO3 based ceramic samples are multi-phase compounds with typical perovskite structure accompanied by the appearance of cylindrical grains. The Ho3+ ions substitute the host A sites and B sites of (Ba0.75Sr0.25) TiO3 perovskite lattice, resulting in the lattice distortion of the system and the change of the relative dielectric constant and dielectric loss at room temperature. With the increase of Ho2O2 doping content, the relative dielectric constant at room temperature of the system increases first and then decreases. The maximum of relative dielectric constant at room temperature can be found in the 1 wt% Ho2O3 doped (Ba0.75Sr0.25) TiO3 ceramics. When Ho2O3＞1 wt%, the maximum of relative dielectric constant ermax decreases and the temperature corresponding to the maximum of relative dielectric constant Tm shifts toward lower temperature with the increase of Ho2O3 doping content. The (Ba0.75Sr0.25) TiO3 ceramics with high Ho2O3 content show relaxor-like behavior which is characterized by the typical diffuse phase transition and frequency dispersion of dielectric constant. However, the (Ba0.75Sr0.25) TiO3 ceramics with low Ho2O3 content do not exhibit permittivity frequency dispersion. According to the P-E hysteresis loops of Ho2O3 doped (Ba0.75Sr0.25) TiO3 ceramics, the ferroelectricity was increased and then decreased with the increase of Ho2O3 doping content. With the increase of Ho2O3 doping content, the P-E relationships turn out to be straight lines, implying the paraelectric phase for (Ba0.75Sr0.25) TiO3 ceramics with high Ho2O3 content.

Enhanced piezoelectric properties in (Ba1-xCax)(Ti0.90Sn0.10)O3-0.08Dy2O3 lead-free ceramics

(Ba1-xCax)(Ti0.90Sn0.10)O3-0.08Dy2O3 ceramics (BCTSD-x, x = 0.02–0.10) were fabricated by conventional solid state sintering method. The effect of Ca2+ ions addition on the phase structure, microstructure, and electric properties of ceramics were studied. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals the replacement of Ba2+ ions in the perovskite structure by Ca2+ ions. Rhombohedral phase and tetragonal phase coexist in the composition with x = 0.06–0.10. Both d33 and Kp of the ceramics increase with increasing Ca concentration, and attain maximum values of 675 pC/N and 55.0%, respectively, for x = 0.06. All the ceramics present typical diffuse phase transition behavior, and the feature is not sensitive to the amount of Ca2+ ions.

Diffuse phase transition in mechanically activated (Pb1−xLax)(Zr0.60Ti0.40)O3 electro-ceramics

In this paper, the dielectric properties of (Pb1−xLax)(Zr0.60Ti0.40)O3 (referred to from now on as PLZT x/60/40) ceramics were investigated for the optimization of La substitution at the A-site of PZT ceramics. The PLZT x/60/40 ceramic powders were synthesized by mechanical activation and compaction of these fine scale nano powders was done using cold isostatic pressing. The present study suggests that lanthanum substitution affects the nature of the ferroelectric phase transition of PZT showing a deviation from normal to the diffuse type phase transition (DPT). The parameters of this DPT, such as the degree of deviation from Curie–Weiss law (ΔTm), diffuseness empirical parameters γ and ΔTdiff were calculated for different compositions of PLZT ceramics at 1 kHz. The large value of γ (1 < γ < 2) and ΔTdiff confirms the deviation from normal phase transition and the high degree of disorderliness in the material. It is also found that the Curie temperature Tc and maximum dielectric constant emax both decrease with increasing La3+ content. The maximum value of dielectric constant for the PLZT 8/60/40 ceramics was found to be ~1975.

Structural and Electrical Properties of Na2Pb2Dy2W2Ti4Ta4O30 Ceramic

The structural, ferroelectric, and electrical properties of tungsten bronze Na2Pb2Dy2W2Ti4Ta4O30 ceramic, synthesized by a standard high-temperature solid-state reaction route, have been studied. Formation of a single-phase orthorhombic crystal system was verified by x-ray diffraction analysis. Microstructural analysis of a pellet sample by scanning electron microscopy revealed well-defined grains of almost the same dimension, uniformly distributed on the surface. Detailed studies of the dielectric properties of the compound as a function of frequency and temperature showed that the compound undergoes a ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition of diffuse type. The frequency dependence of the alternating-current (ac) conductivity showed the signature of Jonscher’s universal power law. Conductivity study over a wide temperature range suggested that the compound exhibits negative temperature coefficient of resistance behavior.

Lanthanum induced diffuse phase transition in high energy mechanochemically processed and poled PLZT 8/60/40 ceramics

La+3 substitution based piezoelectric material, (Pb0.92La0.08) (Zr0.60Ti0.40)O3 also known as PLZT 8/60/40, was prepared by high energy mechano-chemical ball milling. The highly reactive nature of the nano size (∼15–40 nm) milled PLZT powders enable the partial perovskite phase (confirmed by X-ray diffraction) at room temperature itself. Compaction of these fine scale nano powders by the cold isostatic pressing technique leads to a higher density >98% with a close packed dense microstructure that can be seen in SEM images for sintered ceramics. Dielectric measurements for the electrically poled PLZT 8/60/40 ceramics suggest that the lanthanum substitution affects the nature of ferroelectric phase transition of PZT showing a deviation from normal to the diffuse type phase transition (DPT). The parameters of this DPT, such as degree of deviation from Curie–Weiss law (ΔTm), diffuseness empirical parameters γ and ΔTdiff were calculated at various frequencies from 1 kHz to 500 kHz. The large value of γ (1 < γ < 2) and ΔTdiff at said frequencies confirms the deviation from normal phase transition and the high degree of disorderliness in the material. To support this study, polarization vs. electric field and electromechanical coupling factor (kp) measurements were also performed on PLZT 8/60/40 ceramics within the temperature range of 30 °C–170 °C and 30 °C–210 °C respectively. The effect of temperature on the ferroelectric properties was also studied.

Pyroelectric Response and Conduction Mechanism in Highly Crystallized Ferroelectric Sr3(VO4)2 Ceramic

We present a study on the ferroelectric phase transition, pyroelectric properties, and conduction mechanism of highly crystallized strontium orthovanadate (Sr3V2O8) ceramic, prepared by a solid-state reaction technique. X-ray diffraction studies show the formation of a single-phase compound in trigonal crystal system. Detailed studies of dielectric parameters (er and tan δ) of the compound as a function of temperature and frequency reveal their independence over a wide range of temperature and frequency. An anomaly in er suggests the possible existence of a ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition of diffuse type in the material, which is confirmed by electric polarization and pyroelectric studies. The low dielectric loss and moderate relative permittivity make this material (with suitable modifications) a potential candidate for use in microwave applications. The low leakage current and negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behavior of the sample have been verified from J–E plots. The nature of the variation of the direct-current (DC) conductivity with temperature confirms the Arrhenius and NTCR behavior of the material.

Structural and Electrical Properties of Complex Tungsten Bronze Ferroelectrics ; Li2Pb2La2W2Ti4V4O30

The polycrystalline sample of a new tungsten bronze ferroelectric vanadate, Li2Pb2La2W2Ti4V4O30, was prepared at a relatively low temperature using a mixed-oxide technique. The formation of the material under the reported conditions has been confirmed by an X-ray diffraction technique. A preliminary structural analysis exhibits orthorhombic crystal structure of the material at room temperature. Studies of dielectric properties (ϵ, tanδ) of the above compound as a function of temperature (273–600K) at frequencies 10, 100, 1000 KHz exhibits a ferroelectric phase transition of diffuse type. The electrical properties of the material have been studied using ac impedance spectroscopy technique. Detailed studies of impedance and related parameters exhibit that the electrical properties of the material are strongly dependent on temperature, and bear a good correlation with its microstructures. The temperature dependence of electrical relaxation phenomenon in the materials has been observed. The bulk resistance, evaluated from complex impedance spectra, is found to decrease with rise in temperature, exhibiting a typical negative temperature co-efficient of resistance (NTCR) –type behavior similar to that of semiconductors. A small contribution of grain boundary effect was also observed. The complex electric modulus analysis indicates the possibility of hopping conduction mechanism in the system with non-exponential type of conductivity relaxation. The ac conductivity spectra exhibit a typical signature of an ionic conducting system, and are found to obey Jonscher's universal power law.

Synthesis and characterization of lead-free ternary component BST–BCT–BZT ceramic capacitors

Polycrystalline sample of lead-free 1/3( Ba 0.70 Sr 0.30 TiO 3) + 1/3( Ba 0.70 Ca 0.30 TiO 3) + 1/3( BaZr 0.20 Ti 0.80 O 3)( BST - BCT - BZT ) ceramic was synthesized by solid state reaction method. Phase purity and crystal structure of as-synthesized materials was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Temperature-dependent dielectric permittivity studies demonstrated frequency-independent behavior, indicating that the studied sample has typical diffuse phase transition behavior with partial thermal hysteresis. A ferroelectric phase transition between cubic and tetragonal phase was noticed near room temperature (~ 330 K). Bulk P–E hysteresis loop showed a saturation polarization of 20.4 μC/cm2 and a coercive field of ~ 12.78 kV/cm at a maximum electric field of ~ 115 kV/cm. High dielectric constant (ε ~ 5773), low dielectric loss (tan δ ~ 0.03) were recorded at room temperature. Discharge energy density of 0.44 J/cm3 and charge energy density of 1.40 J/cm3 were calculated from nonlinear ferroelectric hysteresis loop at maximum electric field. Dielectric constant at variable temperatures and electric fields, ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition and energy storage properties were thoroughly discussed.

Diffuse phase transition and leakage current characteristics of (Pb0.25Sr0.75)TiO3 thin films prepared by a sol–gel process

Nanocrystalline (Pb0.25Sr0.75)TiO3 (PSrT25) thin films were grown on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates by using a sol–gel process. The dielectric constant and loss tanδ of Au/PSrT/Pt thin-films capacitor were 345 and 0.016 at 100 kHz, respectively. The dielectric constant of PSrT film changes significantly with applied dc bias field and has a tunability of 22.7 % under an applied field of 150 kV/cm. Phase transition of the PSrT25 film has shown the diffuse-type phase transition behavior. The leakage current varied depending on the voltage polarity. At low electrical field and with Au electrode biased negatively, the Au/PSrT interface exhibits a Schottky emission characteristic, while at higher fields, Poole–Frenkel dominated the electronic conduction.

Study of Phase Transitions and Response of Dielectric Behavior of Pb1–1.5xLaxTiO3 Ceramics

Polycrystalline samples of ferroelectric perovskite type lanthanum doped lead titanate, Pb1–1.5xLaxTiO3 (PLT) with x ranging from 0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.3 ceramic system have been synthesized through the modified solid-state reaction technique. One of the objectives of this work was to optimize carefully the process variables which influence the structural and microstructural properties of the samples prepared. X-ray diffraction studies have been used to follow the evolution of the structural phases that occur with the increase of lanthanum content. The sharp peaks observed in XRD patterns and the absence of any impurity peaks confirmed the formation of single phase compounds. The analysis of the X-ray diffraction patterns for the samples with 0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.2 confirmed the tetragonal phase formation. For x = 0.3 the observed X-ray diffraction peaks confirmed the presence of cubic phase as also evident from the absence of splitting of (101 110) and (002 200) peaks. The average linear particle sizes for all the compositions estimated using Scherrer's formula lie in the range 230–570 nm. The grain sizes of the lead lanthanum titanate ceramic powders increases with the increase of lanthanum content. The grain morphology and size were directly imaged using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the average grain size was determined by using a mean linear intercept method. Detailed studies of dielectric constant (ϵ) and tangent loss (tan δ) as a function of frequency (5 Hz–13 MHz) at room temperature (RT) and temperature (RT-900 K) suggest that compounds undergo ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition of diffuse type. The value of diffusivity γ is extracted from the ln (1/ϵ−1/ϵmax) vs. ln (T−Tmax)γ plots and the values of γ vary between 1.18 to 1.75, which confirm that diffuse phase transition occurs in the lead lanthanum titanate (PLT) system. The results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study also support the phase transition temperature observed in the dielectric measurements.

Sintering and Properties of Pb0.98Ca0.02 [(Zr0.52Ti0.48)0,98(Cr3+0.5, Ta5+0.5)0,02] O3 Ferroelectric Ceramics Doped with P2O5

The effect of phosphorus additions on the structure, microstructure and dielectrics properties of the Pb0.98Ca0.02[(Zr0.52Ti0.48)0,98(Cr3+0.5, Ta5+0.5)0,02]1-xPx O3 (x ranged from 0.01 to 0.12) ceramics have been investigated. All of the samples were prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction technique. AFM analysis of the compounds suggests that the average grain size increases with increasing sintering temperature which is characteristic of a ceramic material. Until that it reaches maximum values for the simple doped with 4 Wt. % of P2O5 at a sintering temperature of 1050°C. Dielectric studies of the compounds as a function of frequency (from 1 to 200 KHz) sintered at different sintering temperatures (1000, 1050, 1100, 1150 and 1180° C) show that the compounds undergo a phase transition of diffuse type. The transition temperature shifts towards higher side with increase in frequency a typical characteristic of a relaxor material.

Phase transition and conduction mechanism in Pb2Na0.8R0.2Nb4.8Fe0.2O15 material (R=rare earth)

Electrical properties of Pb2Na0.8Eu0.2Nb4.8Fe0.2O15 tungsten bronze compound were investigated. Ferroelectric phase transition of diffuse type is observed at 395°C. Conductivity study as a function of temperature (RT-600°C) and at three different frequencies (10, 100 and 1000kHz) suggests the existence of dominant ionic conduction. The rise of ac conductivity on increasing temperature supports the NTCR (negative temperature coefficient of resistance) behaviour of the material. The activation energies have been evaluated from ac conductivity using Arrhenius equation and discussed. Different conduction mechanisms were identified. For comparison, the conducting properties of Pb2Na0.8R0.2Nb4.8Fe0.2O15 (R=Dy, Nd, La) were also investigated.

Dielectric and Impedance Spectroscopy of Barium Orthoniobate Ceramic

Barium orthoniobate (Ba3Nb2O8), a derivative of the perovskite family, was prepared using a high-temperature solid-state reaction technique (calcination temperature = 1425°C and sintering temperature = 1450°C for 4 h). Preliminary x-ray structural analysis with room-temperature x-ray diffraction data confirmed the formation of a single-phase compound with hexagonal crystal structure. Study of the microstructure of a gold-coated pellet by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the sample has well-defined grains that are distributed uniformly throughout the surface of the sample. Detailed studies showed that the dielectric parameters (e r and tan δ) of the compound at three different frequencies (10 kHz, 100 kHz, and 1000 kHz) are almost constant in the low-temperature region (from room temperature to about 200°C). An anomaly in the relative permittivity (e r) (∼357°C) suggests the possible existence of a ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition of diffuse type in the material. Detailed studies of impedance and related parameters show that the electrical properties of the material are strongly dependent on temperature, showing good correlation with its microstructure. The bulk resistance (evaluated from impedance studies) is found to decrease with increasing temperature. This shows that the material has negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR), similar to that of semiconductors. Studies of electric modulus indicate the presence of a hopping conduction mechanism in the system with nonexponential-type conductivity relaxation. The nature of the variation of the direct-current (dc) conductivity with temperature confirms the Arrhenius and NTCR behavior in the material. The alternating-current (ac) conductivity spectra show a typical signature of an ionic conducting system and are found to obey Jonscher’s universal power law.

PRECURSOR DYNAMICS OFPb(B1/2B′1/2)O3-TYPE RELAXOR FERROELECTRICS STUDIED BY BROADBAND MICRO-BRILLOUIN SCATTERING

This paper reviews the recent progress in the understanding of the dynamics of Pb(B1/2B′1/2)O3-type relaxor ferroelectrics using of broadband micro-Brillouin scattering spectroscopy, which covers a large frequency range from 1 to 1000 GHz by a tandem multi-pass Fabry–Perot interferometer. In contrast to Pb(B1/3B′2/3)O3-type relaxors, there is no frustration on the B-site of perovskite structure and the degree of order of B-site cations depends on heat treatment. Remarkable softening of sound velocity and an intense central peak are observed above the Curie temperature TCowing to the polarization fluctuations in polar nanoregions (PNRs). Unlike the Pb(B1/3B′2/3)O3relaxors, Pb(B1/2B′1/2)O3does not undergoes a typical diffuse phase transition without lead vacancies on A-site which enhances random fields. For the (1-x) Pb ( B1/2B ′1/2) O3–x PbTiO3solid solutions, the long range polar order increases as the PbTiO3content increases. Nevertheless, a central peak owing to dynamic PNRs still remains even for the composition near the MPB, and a critical slowing down is clearly observed in the vicinity of TC.

Study of Structural and Electrical Properties of a New Type of Complex Tungsten Bronze Electroceramics; Li&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;2&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;Pb&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;2&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;Y&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;2&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;W&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;2&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;Ti&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;4&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;V&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;4&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;O&amp;lt;sub&amp;gt;30&amp;lt;/sub&amp;gt;

A polycrystalline ceramic, a new type of complex tungsten bronze type structure, having a general formula Li2Pb2Y2W2Ti4V4O30 has been prepared relatively at low temperature using a mixedoxide technique after optimizing the calcination conditions on the basis of thermal analysis. The material has been characterized by different experimental techniques. The formation of the material under the reported conditions has been confirmed by an X-ray diffraction technique. A preliminary structural analysis of the material showed the formation of single phase compound in an orthorhombic crystal structure at room temperature. Studies of dielectric properties (εr, tanδ ) of the above compound as a function of temperature at different frequencies exhibit a ferroelectric phase transition of diffuse type. The electrical properties of the material have been studied using ac impedance spectroscopy technique. Detailed studies of impedance and related parameters exhibit that the electrical properties of the material are strongly dependent on temperature, and bear a good correlation with its microstructure. The temperature dependence of electrical relaxation phenomenon in the material has been observed. The bulk resistance, evaluated from complex impedance spectra, is found to decrease with rise in temperature, exhibiting a typical negative temperature co-efficient of resistance (NTCR) – type behavior similar to that of semiconductors. A small contribution of grain boundary effect was also observed. The complex electric modulus analysis indicates the possibility of hopping conduction mechanism in the system with non-exponential type of conductivity relaxation. The ac conductivity spectra exhibit a typical signature of an ionic conducting system, and are found to obey Jonscher’s universal power law.

Dielectric and complex impedance studies of BaTi0·85W0·15O3+δ ferroelectric ceramics

In the present work, tungsten substituted barium titanate have been synthesized and studied. The structural analysis indicates that the specimen is a single phase material with tetragonal crystal structure. The observed polarization–electric field hysteresis loop confirms the ferroelectric nature of the prepared compound. Variation of dielectric constant with temperature at different frequencies shows that the compound has a dielectric anomaly at 75 °C and exhibits diffuse type phase transition. Variation of dielectric loss with temperature at different frequencies shows a decrease in loss with increasing frequency. The Nyquist plots (Cole–Cole plots) have been measured at temperatures 325 °C, 345 °C and 365 °C. The plot at 365 °C shows a grain boundary effect. Relaxation time has been found to decrease with the rise in temperature and obey the Arrhenius relationship. The variations of d.c. conductivity as a function of temperature have also been studied.

Colossal dielectric and magnetodielectric effect inEr2O3nanoparticles embedded in aSiO2glass matrix

An intriguing colossal enhancement of dielectric constant along with magnetodielectric (MD) behavior is observed in nanoparticle (NP) ${\text{Er}}_{2}{\text{O}}_{3}$ $(0.5\text{ }\text{mol}\text{ }\mathrm{%})$ embedded ${\text{SiO}}_{2}$ glass matrix synthesized via sol-gel route. A broad dielectric peak with a maximum at ${T}_{m}$ $(\ensuremath{\sim}270\text{ }\text{K})$ exhibits typical diffuse phase transition following modified Curie-Weiss behavior. Conduction mechanism (showing energy barrier ${E}_{a}\ensuremath{\sim}1.13\text{ }\text{eV}$ near ${T}_{m}$) is closely related to the thermally activated oxygen vacancies. At the highest applied magnetic field 9 T, the dielectric constant around ${T}_{m}$ is enhanced almost $\ensuremath{\sim}2.75$ (at 2.5 kHz frequency) times compared with that at zero field. The MD effect observed in this glassy composite is considered to be associated with the direct consequence of magnetoresistance changes which depends on the magnetic NP size and separation.

Enhanced dielectric property from highly (100)-oriented barium zirconate titanate compositional gradient films

Via the sol–gel process, compositionally graded and homogeneous BaZr x Ti 1 − x O 3 (BZT) thin films were grown on (100)-oriented LaNiO 3 (LNO)/Si substrates, respectively. The compositionally graded BZT thin film consisted of BaZr 0.05Ti 0.95O 3 (BZT5), BaZr 0.10Ti 0.90O 3 (BZT10) and BaZr 0.15Ti 0.85O 3 (BZT15). Homogeneous thin films of above three compositions were fabricated for comparison. X-ray diffraction measurements show all the BZT thin films exhibit a single perovskite phase with highly (100)-preferred orientation. The temperature-dependent dielectric properties of these films show typical diffuse phase transition, and the phase transition temperature are all lower than −35 °C. A prominent increase of the dielectric constant and a more aligned surface morphology is observed in the compositionally graded thin film compared to the homogeneous samples.