Dielectric and Ferroelectric Properties of BaTiO3 Nanofibers Prepared via Electrospinning

BaTiO3 nanofibers of about 400 nm in diameter were synthesized via electrospinning. The evolution of the morphology and phase composition of the BaTiO3 nanofibers was studied by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction within the annealing temperature of 750–1050 °C. Higher annealing temperature led to rougher surface and better crystallization of the BaTiO3 nanofibers. Below 1050 °C, the BaTiO3 nanofibers maintained its large aspect ratios and could still be regarded as individual nanofiber. The dielectric permittivities of the BaTiO3 nanofibers (εr ∼ 820) were calculated with the MG equation by considering the porous bulk specimens as composites of BaTiO3 nanofibers and air. The ferroelectric properties of the BaTiO3 nanofibers were measured by using a ferroelectric analyzer coupled with an atomic force microscope. P–E loop measured for the BaTiO3 nanofiber exhibits small hysteresis.