Ba(Ti1 − xSnx)O3 (x = 0.13) nanomaterials produced by low-temperature aqueous synthesis

BaTi0.87Sn0.13O3 (BTS13) nanopowder was prepared by low-temperature aqueous synthesis (LTAS) method. The evolution of the structure and microstructure of the precursor precipitate, heated at temperatures up to 1000 °C was studied by TGA, FT-IR, SEM and XRD techniques. The dried precipitate showed a microstructure consisting of nano-sized grains (∼40 nm) with great tendency to agglomeration. BaTi0.87Sn0.13O3 single phase was obtained at 800 °C. The ceramics prepared from as-obtained BTS13 powders (60–70 nm) show good dielectric and ferroelectric characteristics. The dielectric constant was about 4800 and the dielectric loss (tan δ) was 0.229 at 1 kHz and at the Curie temperature (31 °C). The remanent polarization (Pr) and the coercive field (EC) of Ba0.97Ho0.03TiO3 ceramics, at 1 kHz, were Pr = 13 μC/cm2 and EC = 0.89 kV/cm. The ferroelectric parameters EC and Pr decrease with increasing frequency in the domain 100 Hz to 10 kHz.

► Optimal parameters for synthesis by LTAS of Sn-doped BaTiO3 precursor precipitate are presented in this paper.
► Nano-sized grains (60–70 nm) of BaTi0.87Sn0.13O3 (BTS13) powder were obtained at low temperature (800 °C).
► The BTS13 ceramics prepared from as-obtained powders show good dielectric and ferroelectric characteristics.