Composition-dependent structures and properties of Bi4Ti3−xZrxO12 ceramics

Ceramics of B-site doped Bi4Ti3O12 (BTO) by Zr, Bi4Ti3−xZrxO12 (BTZx, x=0.2, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5) were prepared by solid-state reaction method. Structures and properties of the ceramics were studied as a function of Zr composition using X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering and polarization hysteresis techniques. With x increasing from 0.2 to 1.5, the orthorhombic distortions increase. Peak numbers of modes in the Raman spectra also increase with x, which may indicate the enhancement of the response of their vibration properties to the laser field. The x=0.2 compound exhibits the largest remnant polarization (Pr) compared with x=0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 compounds. It is also larger than that of SrBi2Ta2O9 (SBT) and pure polycrystalline BTO. The mechanism for the changing of the Pr is discussed as well.