Microwave-assisted solid synthesis and impedance spectroscopy of BICRVOX system

Samples of BICRVOX (Bi2CrxV1−xO5.5+x−δ; 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) were synthesized by the microwave-assisted solid state reaction. The exposure time of 25 min was found to be sufficient to ensure the completion of reaction. Powder X-ray diffraction and FT-IR confirmed that the dielectric heating results in the better ordering of Cr6+ and V5+ positions in the perovskite-like sheets compared to the conventional route. Differential thermal analysis showed that the thermal stability of β → γ transition is compositionally dependent. However, AC impedance analysis showed that the microwave-prepared samples possess anomalous ferroelectricity and that the microwave heating is also advantageous in the reduction of charge accumulation at the vicinity of grain boundaries. In addition, the oxide ion performance of microwave samples is clearly evident for BICRVOX.20 at higher temperatures.