Effect of gamma ray irradiation on the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of barium stannate titanate ceramics

• Gamma ray irradiation effects have been reported.
• The ferroelectric property decreases due to gamma ray irradiation.
• Values of different piezoelectric constants decrease upon irradiation.
• TL glow curve shows thermoluminescence property of the ceramic system.

Tin doped barium titanate ceramics has been obtained by solid state reaction method followed by high energy ball milling. The effect of heavy dose gamma ray irradiation on the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of the synthesized barium stannate titanate ceramics has been observed. It has been found that on irradiation the ferroelectric property decreases with decreasing values of Pr and Ec. The piezoelectric properties including d33, electrostrictive strain and electromechanical coupling coefficient (Kp) also decrease following the same trend of Pr and Ec. Grain size decreases and grain patterns become irregular after irradiation as observed from SEM micrographs. The Thermoluminescence (TL) property of the barium stannate titanate ceramics has also been investigated and reported.