Structural and dielectric properties of Ca_0.95 Nd₀.₀₅Cu₃Ti_3.95Zr_0.05O₁₂ ceramic

ABSTRACT

The unique dielectric properties of CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (CCTO) are a promising feature for capacitor applications. Polycrystalline Ca_0.95Nd₀.₀₅Cu₃Ti_3.95Zr_0.05O₁₂ ceramic was synthesized via conventional solid state method. XRD and Rietveld studies confirmed that crystal structure is cubic with space group Im3. Microstructural study by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggests that the compound has some abnormal grains embedded with small grains depict inhomogeneous microstructure. The dielectric properties were analyzed in frequency range from 100 Hz to 5 MHz at different temperatures. A giant dielectric constant (∼19,426) with minimal loss tangent (∼0.067 at 1 KHz) at room temperature is achieved in studied composition.

KEYWORDS:

• CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ ceramic
• Rietveld refinement
• dielectric constant
• dielectric loss

Acknowledgment

Authors are thankful to Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi for providing XRD facilities (FIST scheme).

Funding

One of the authors is thankful to the University Grants Commission, New Delhi for providing financial assistance through major research project (F. No. 41–853/2012 (SR)).