Enhanced characteristics of Ba5SmTi3Nb7O30 ferroelectric nanocrystalline ceramic prepared by mechanical activation process: A comparative study

In the present work, structural, dielectric, ferroelectric, piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of tungsten-bronze structured Ba5SmTi3Nb7O30 ceramics, synthesized by mechanical activation and conventional solid-state reaction processes, have been studied with an objective of comparing the properties of the specimens synthesized by the two processes. X-ray diffraction analysis shows the formation of the compound in an orthorhombic structure by both the processes. Scanning electron microscopy reveals the formation of a fine granular microstructure in the specimen synthesized by mechanical activation process compared to the specimen synthesized by conventional solid-state method. The specimen prepared using mechanical activation process exhibits improved electrical properties with higher dielectric constant, lower dielectric loss and higher resistivity. The effective remanent polarization (P¯r) value, d33 value and pyroelectric coefficients are also observed to be higher in the sample synthesized by the mechanical activation process.

In the present work, structural, dielectric, ferroelectric, piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of tungsten-bronze structured Ba5SmTi3Nb7O30 ceramics, synthesized by mechanical activation and conventional solid-state reaction processes, have been studied with an objective of comparing the properties of the specimens synthesized by the two processes. The specimen prepared using mechanical activation process exhibits improved structural and electrical properties.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► In this report Ba5SmTi3Nb7O30 compounds have been synthesized.
► Synthesis was carried out by mechanical activation and solid-state reaction processes.
► The mechanical activation process yields nanocrystalline specimen.
► The synthesized specimens were characterized for their electrical properties.
► A comparative study reveals that nanocrystalline specimen possesses superior properties.