Ferroelectric domains in BaTiO₃ powders and ceramics evidenced by X-ray diffraction

Abstract

Through three different studies, using BaTiO₃ samples, as a powder while heating over the Curie temperature, and as a ceramic while applying an electric field, it is shown how X-ray diffraction (XRD) is able to give information about the evolution of the ferroelectric domain microstructure. Firstly, the relative intensities of the 002 and 200 lines, as a function of the applied electric field, exhibit the motion of the 90[ddot] domain walls. However, XRD is unable to provide any distinction between two 180[ddot] domains. Secondly, the profile of those two lines and of the other double (hhl), (lhh) lines is particular: the unusual diffracted intensity between such double lines has to be related to the domain microstructure of the ferroelectric material. Thirdly, the analysis of the (hhh) line broadening with temperature shows that the ferroelectric domain walls could be considered as lattice distortions.

Key Words:

• BaTiO₃
• perovskite
• X-ray diffraction
• ferroelectric domains
• polarization
• ceramic