Structural and dielectric properties of barium-modified SrBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ ceramics

Abstract

Barium-modified strontium bismuth titanate ceramics with chemical formula Sr_1−xBa_xBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ (x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.1) (SBBT) have been prepared by means of solid-state reaction technique and their structural and electrical properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction data confirm that all the compositions show orthorhombic structure without any deleterious phase. Scanning electron micrographs show plate like grain morphology with random orientation of platelets. The temperature-dependent dielectric study shows that the phase transition temperature decreases, but the dielectric constant increases with increase in Ba content. Complex impedance plots show that both grain and grain boundary effect on the resistance mechanisms in all the compositions. The values of the activation energy confirm that the oxygen vacancies play an important role in the conduction. The ac conductivity of SBBT ceramics increases as a function of frequency due to relaxation phenomenon which arises due to mobile charge carriers.

Keywords:

• layered structure
• X-ray diffraction
• phase transition
• impedance study
• ac conductivity