Investigations on structural and electrical properties of conventional and microwave sintered BaTiO₃ and Ba_0.98Nd_0.02TiO₃ ceramics

Abstract

In this article, BaTiO₃ and Ba_0.98Nd_0.02TiO₃ ceramics were prepared by high temperature conventional solid state reaction, followed by microwave sintering (MS) process separately. A comparative study on structural, morphological and electrical properties has been employed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Raman, scanning electron microscope and dielectric and ferroelectric measurements. PXRD and profile refinement analysis results revealed that tetragonal phase at room temperature. The Raman spectroscopy provided useful information on the presence of tetragonal symmetry. Surface morphology of the MS sample showed dramatic changes from scanning electron micrographs. Dielectric and ferroelectric behavior observed for MS sample.

Keywords:

• Crystalline structure
• Rietveld refinement
• microwave sintering
• ferroelectric properties

Acknowledgments

The institution of Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil is gratefully acknowledged for their stable encouragement to the research activities for the authors. The author S. Sasikumar is grateful to them for their stable encouragement, recognition and financial support as the Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship.