Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1809031 | Physica B: Condensed Matter | 2015 | 7 Pages |
In this article, we investigate the grain size dependent phase transition and polarization behavior of ferroelectric Ba0.9Sr0.1TiO3 (BST). Starting with nanocrystalline powders (crystalline size≈22 nm), various grain sizes were obtained in nano–submicron domain (202–745 nm) by regulating the sintering temperatures (Tsin) in the range of 1050–1300 °C. All samples were found to possess diffuse phase transition characteristics with frequency independent broad dielectric maxima near transition temperature due to the lattice strain contribution. Dielectric stiffness showed tarnished step-like anomalous behavior in the paraelectric state for Tsin≥1200 °C due to the existence of polar (superparaelectric) nano-regions generated by local polarization by off-centered Ti4+ ions exhibiting an exceptionally rare delicate polarization hysteresis loop.