Structural, dielectric and electrical properties of Li2Pb2La2W2Ti4Nb4O30 ceramic

Li₂Pb₂La₂W₂Ti₄Nb₄O₃₀ complex ferroelectric oxide was prepared by using a high-temperature solid-state reaction method (calcination temperature, ~1100 °C and sintering temperature, ~1150 °C). Room temperature preliminary structural analysis shows formation of a single-phase compound. The nature of microstructure (i.e. grain distribution, presence of voids, grain size, etc) recorded using scanning electron microscope (SEM) clearly suggests the formation of high quality and density of pellet samples. Studies of temperature dependence of dielectric constant, tangent loss and polarization show the existence of ferroelectric phase transition in the material at high temperature (307 °C). Detailed studies of temperature dependence of electrical parameters (i.e. impedance (400?475 °C), modulus, conductivity, etc) of the material clearly suggest a strong correlation between its microstructure (i.e. bulk, grain boundary, etc) and electrical properties. The nature of temperature variation of d.c. conductivity showed an Arrhenius behaviour of the material. A signature of ionic conductivity in the material was observed in its a.c. conductivity spectrum. The nature of frequency dependence of a.c. conductivity of the material can be explained by Jonscher’s universal power law. Electrical transport properties of the material show existence of non-exponential type of conductivity relaxation.     

Dielectric, magnetic and electrical properties of ZnFe2O4 ceramics

The polycrystalline sample of ZnFe₂O₄ was prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction technique. Preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of the compound showed the formation of a single-phase compound at room temperature. Studies of dielectric properties (ε_r, tan δ) of the above compound as a function of frequency in a wide temperature range show dielectric anomalies signifying existence of possible ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition in the material. The confirmation of this assumption was made with observation of ferroelectric hysteresis loop at room temperature. Magnetic measurement exhibits anti-ferromagnetic nature of the sample. Studies of the zero-field cooled and the field-cooled magnetization in dc field provided the blocking temperature T_B. The temperature dependence of electrical parameters (impedance, modulus, conductivity, etc.) of the material exhibits a strong correlation between the microstructure (i.e., bulk, grain boundary, etc.) and electrical parameters of the material. Detailed studies of impedance parameters have provided an insight into the electrical properties and understanding of types of relaxation process in the material. The temperature variation of dc resistivity/conductivity exhibits negative temperature coefficient of resistance behaviour of the material. The frequency dependence of ac conductivity suggests that the material obeys Jonscher’s universal power law.     

Double phase transitions in K2Pb2Sm2W2Ti4Nb4O30 ferroelectrics

This paper reports about the double phase transition (at 315 and 366 °C) in the polycrystalline sample of K₂Pb₂Sm₂W₂Ti₄Nb₄O₃₀ prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction technique. The calcination temperature was decided based on thermogravimetry analysis. Room temperature X-ray structural analysis confirms the formation of a single phase compound. The surface morphology recorded by scanning electron microscope exhibits a uniform grain distribution with high density. Detailed studies on the nature of variation (1) of dielectric parameters with temperature, and (2) polarization with temperature confirmed the existence of ferroelectricity in the material at room temperature. The temperature dependence of dc conductivity shows a typical Arrhenius behavior. The frequency dependence of ac conductivity suggests that the material obeys Jonscher’s universal power law. The variation of current with temperature shows that the material has high pyroelectric co-efficient and figure of merit, thus making it useful for pyroelectric sensors.     

Electrical properties of Na1/2Nd1/2TiO3 Ceramics

The polycrystalline sample of Na_1/2Nd_1/2TiO₃ was prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction technique. The formation of the compound was confirmed by both XRD and EDX studies. Preliminary structural analysis ofNa_1/2Nd_1/2TiO₃ using X-ray diffraction data exhibits a tetragonal phase of the material at room temperature. The dielectric permittivity and the loss tangent of the pellet sample were obtained in a wide frequency range (1 kHz to 1 MHz) at different temperatures (30 °C to 425 °C). The dielectric anomaly at 114 °C, appearance of hysteresis loop and piezoelectric properties at room temperature confirmed the ferroelectric properties of the compound. Measurements of frequency and temperature dependence of impedance over a wide frequency range (100Hz–1MHz) were carried out by complex impedance spectroscopy as a non-destructive tool and indicate that the electrical properties of the material are strongly temperature dependent. Evidence of temperature dependence of electrical relaxation phenomenon as well as the negative temperature coefficient (NTC)-type of resistance behavior of the sample has also been observed. The dc conductivity graph follows the Arrhenius law. Studies of dielectric modulus suggest the non-Debye type of relaxation in the materials, which is supported by the impedance data.     

Structural, dielectric and electrical properties of dysprosium based new complex electroceramics

The polycrystalline sample of K₂Pb₂Dy₂W₂Ti₄Nb₄O₃₀ was synthesized by high—temperature solid—state reaction method (calcinations temperature ~1,050?°C and sintering temperature ~1,075?°C). The phase formation of the desired compound was confirmed by preliminary X-ray structural analysis. The scanning electron micrograph shows uniform plate and rod like grain distribution throughout the surface of the sample without much pores. Detailed studies of the nature of (1) variation of dielectric parameters with temperature (27–480?°C) and frequency (1?kHz–5?MHz) and (2) polarization (at three different temperatures) confirmed the existence of ferroelectricity in the material, with phase transition occurring at 316?°C. The temperature dependence of electrical parameters (impedance, modulus, conductivity, etc.) of the material exhibits a strong correlation between its micro-structure (i.e., bulk, grain boundary, etc.) and electrical properties. The nature of temperature dependent dc conductivity follows the Arrhenius equation, and reveals the negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behaviour of the material. The material obeys Jonscher’s universal power law which is evident from the graphs of frequency dependence of ac conductivity.     

Ferroelectric phase transition in Ba4SrSmTi3V7O30 ceramics

Polycrystalline Ba₄SrSmTi₃V₇O₃₀ sample was prepared using high-temperature solid-state reaction technique. Preliminary X-ray structural analysis of the compound shows the formation of a single phase compound (orthorhombic crystal system) at room temperature. Microstructures of the compound exhibit uniform distribution of grains over the surface of the sample. Detailed studies of dielectric and electrical properties as a function of frequency (1 kHz to 1 MHz) and temperature (31 °C to 475 °C) show that, the compound exhibits a diffuse ferroelectric phase transition. Measurements of electrical conductivity (ac) as a function of temperature suggest that the compound has semiconducting properties much above the room temperature with a negative temperature coefficient of resistance behavior. The existence of ferroelectricity was confirmed from polarization studies.     

Dielectric and impedance properties of Nd3/2Bi3/2Fe5O12 ceramics

The polycrystalline sample of Nd_3/2Bi_3/2Fe₅O₁₂ was prepared by a high- temperature solid-state reaction technique. Preliminary X-ray structural analysis exhibits the formation of a single-phase tetragonal structure at room temperature. Microstructural analysis by scanning electron microscopy shows that the sintered sample has well defined grains. These grains are distributed uniformly throughout the surface of the sample. Detailed studies of dielectric response at various frequencies and temperatures exhibit a dielectric anomaly at 400 °C. The electrical properties (impedance, modulus and conductivity) of the material were studied using a complex impedance spectroscopy technique. These studies reveal a significant contribution of grain and grain boundary effects in the material. The frequency dependent plots of modulus and the impedance loss show that the conductivity relaxation is of non-Debye type. Studies of electrical conductivity with temperature demonstrate that the compound exhibits Arrhenius-type of electrical conductivity. Study of ac conductivity with frequency suggests that the material obeys Jonscher’s universal power law.     

Dielectric and impedance characteristics of Ba(Bi0.5Nb0.5)O3 ceramics

A lead free polycrystalline material Ba(Bi_0.5Nb_0.5)O₃ was prepared using a high-temperature mixed oxide technique using high purity ingredients. The formation of the material in monoclinic crystal structure was confirmed by an X-ray structural analysis at room temperature. The nature and texture of microstructure by scanning electron microscopy show that the compound has well defined grains uniformly distributed throughout the surface of the sample. Detailed studies of dielectric and impedance properties of the material, carried out in the frequency range of (1 kHz–1 MHz) at different temperatures (30 °C to 475 °C), have shown many interesting properties. Dielectric study showed an existence of diffuse phase transition around 317 °C. The temperature dependence of impedance parameters (impedance, modulus etc.) of the material exhibits a strong correlation of its micro-structure (i.e., bulk, grain boundary, etc.) with the electrical parameters. An existence of negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) type behavior in the material similar to that of semiconductors was also observed. The complex electric modulus analysis indicates the existence of hopping conduction mechanism in the system with non-exponential type of conductivity relaxation. The nature of variation of dc conductivity with temperature confirms the Arrhenius behavior of the material. The ac conductivity spectra show a typical signature of an ionic conducting system, and are found to obey Jonscher’s universal power law. The temperature dependent pre-exponential factor (A) shows peak and frequency exponent (n) possesses a minimum at transition temperature.     

Ferroelectric and pyroelectric properties of rare earth based tungsten–bronze compounds

Complex polycrystalline materials [Li₂Pb₂R₂W₂Ti₄Nb₄O₃₀ (R = Dy, Sm)] of the tungsten bronze structural family have been synthesized using a high-temperature solid-state reaction (mixed-oxide) technique. The formation of the single phase compounds was checked using preliminary X-ray structural data/pattern. The nature and distribution of grains in the samples in the scanning electron micrographs confirm the good quality of the samples used for electrical characterization. Detailed studies of dielectric constant, tangent loss and electrical polarization as a function of temperature at different frequency confirmed the existence of ferroelectric properties in the materials at room temperature. Study of electrical properties (impedance, modulus, conductivity, etc.,) of the materials exhibits a strong correlation between their micro-structures (i.e., bulk, grain boundary, etc.) and electrical parameters. The frequency dependence of ac conductivity suggests that the materials obey Jonscher’s universal power law. Pyroelectric study shows that the materials have good pyroelectric coefficient and figure of merit.     

Studies of dielectric and electrical properties of a new type of complex tungsten bronze electroceramics

A polycrystalline ceramic with a new type of complex tungsten-bronze type structure, having a general formula K₂Ba₂Nd₂Ti₄Nb₄W₂O₃₀ has been prepared using a high temperature solid-state reaction route after optimizing the calcinations conditions on the basis of thermal analysis results. The material has been characterized by different experimental techniques. The formation of the compound has been confirmed using X-ray diffraction analysis. Dielectric properties (ε_r and tanδ) of the compound as a function of temperature at different frequencies have been carried out. Temperature dependence of dielectric constant indicates the presence of ferroelectric phase transition well above the room temperature. Complex impedance spectroscopic analysis has been carried out as a function of frequency at different temperatures to establish some correlation between the microstructure and electrical properties of the material. The nature of frequency dependence of ac conductivity obeys the Jonscher’s power law. The dc conductivity calculated from the ac conductivity spectrum shows the negative temperature coefficient of resistance behavior like a semiconductor.     

Structural,electrical and magneto-electric characteristics of complex multiferroic perovskite Bi<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Pb<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Ce<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The polycrystalline sample of bismuth based-complex multiferroic of a composition Bi_0.5Pb_0.5Fe_0.5Ce_0.5O₃ was prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction technique (calcinations temperature = 900 °C, sintering temperature = 960 °C, time = 4 h). Preliminary structural analysis using XRD data exhibits the formation of a single-phase compound. Studies of surface morphology of the ceramic sample of the compound, recorded at room temperature using a scanning electron microscope, show uniform distribution of grains of different size with few voids. Detailed studies of dielectric properties (ε_r, tan δ) supported the existence of multiferroic properties in the above complex system. The analysis of impedance parameters, recorded in a wide frequency (1 kHz–1 MHz) and temperature (room temperature to 450 °C) range of the material provide better understanding of (a) role of grains and grain boundaries in resistive and capacitative characteristics, (c) structure-properties relationship and (b) type of relaxation process occurred in the material. Study of temperature dependence of dc conductivity of the compound shows the existence of negative temperature coefficient of resistance in it. The nature of variation of ac conductivity with temperature of the material follows the Josher’s universal power law. Study of magneto-electric characteristics of the sample at room temperature has provided many useful and new data on magneto-electric coupling coefficient of different orders.     

Structural,dielectric and electrical properties of CaBa<Subscript>4</Subscript>SmTi<Subscript>3</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>7</Subscript>O<Subscript>30</Subscript> ferroelectric ceramic

The polycrystalline sample of CaBa₄SmTi₃Nb₇O₃₀, a member of tungsten bronze family, was prepared by solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction analysis shows the formation of single-phase compound with an orthorhombic structure at room temperature. Scanning electron micrograph of the material shows uniform distribution of grains. Detailed studies of dielectric properties of the compound as a function of temperature at different frequencies suggest that the compound has a dielectric anomaly of ferroelectric to paraelectric type at 198°C, and exhibits non-relaxor kind of diffuse phase transition. The ferroelectric nature of the compound has been confirmed by recording polarization-electric field hysteresis loop. Piezoelectric and pyroelectric studies of the compound have been discussed in this paper. Electrical properties of the material have been analyzed using complex impedance technique. The Nyquist plots manifest the contribution of grain boundaries (at higher temperature), in addition to granular contribution (at all temperatures) to the overall impedance. The temperature dependence of dc conductivity suggests that the compound has negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behaviour. The frequency dependence of ac conductivity is found to obey Jonscher’s universal power law. The observed properties have been compared with calcium free Ba₅SmTi₃Nb₇O₃₀ compound.     

Effect of Gd-substitution on phase transition and conduction mechanism of BiFeO3

The polycrystalline sample of (Bi_0.8Gd_0.2)FeO₃ was prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction technique. Preliminary X-ray structural analysis of the sample confirms the formation of the desired compound with rhombohedral phase. The scanning electron micrograph of the sample showed uniform distribution of the plate- and rod-shaped grains. Studies of dielectric and electrical properties of the material were investigated within a wide range of temperature (25–400 °C) and frequency (1 kHz–1 MHz) using complex impedance spectroscopic method. The observation of hysteresis loop of the material confirmed that the material has a ferroelectric property at room temperature. The ac conductivity suggests that the sample obey Jonscher’s universal power law. The dc conductivity follows Arrhenius equation. Detailed studies of ac and dc conductivity show a negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) behavior of the sample.     

Impedance and modulus analysis of double perovskite Pb<Subscript>2</Subscript>BiVO<Subscript>6</Subscript>

The member of double perovskite family Pb₂BiVO₆ was synthesized by a moderate temperature (~700?°C) by solid-state route. The room temperature X-ray diffraction pattern of the sample confirms the formation of a single phase new compound. The scanning electron microscope image of the studied compound clearly shows the grains are uniformly distributed with minimal voids. Impedance, modulus and conductivity properties of the compound exhibits a strong correlation with the micro-structure and resistive properties of the material. The electrical transport properties of the material show the existence of non-exponential-type of conductivity relaxation in the material.     

Dielectric and impedance properties of Ba2Sr3DyTi3V7O30 ceramics

A new member of tungsten bronze family, Ba₂Sr₃DyTi₃V₇O₃₀, was synthesized by a high-temperature solid-state reaction method. Studies of structural by X ray diffraction technique and micro-structural by scanning electron microscope brings out orthorhombic crystal structure and densely packed nonuniform grains for the above ceramic system. Detailed dielectric studies as a function of temperature (30–500?°C) at different frequencies (1–1,000?kHz) reveals diffuse-phase-transition and loss anomaly at 81?°C. Detailed studies of impedance parameters provide a better understanding of the electrical properties and type of relaxation processes in the material. Temperature variation of dc and ac conductivity shows that this compound exhibits negative temperature coefficient of resistance. The frequency variation of ac conductivity shows that the compound obeys Jonscher’s universal power law.     

Impedance spectroscopic characteristics of Bi2Fe2W3O15 ceramics

Bi₂Fe₂W₃O₁₅ was prepared in the polycrystalline form using a standard solid-state reaction technique in order to study its dielectric and electrical properties. The formation of a single-phase compound was confirmed by preliminary X-ray structural studies of the material. Studies of electrical properties (impedance, modulus and conductivity) of the compound over a wide range of temperature and frequency provide many interesting results. The impedance and modulus parameters were calculated using complex plane formalism, and suitable equivalent circuits have been proposed for different temperature and frequency regions. The nature of variation of ac conductivity with frequency at different temperatures obeys the Jonscher’s universal power law. The temperature-dependence of dc conductivity pattern follows the Arrhenius behavior.     

Investigation of density of states and electrical properties of Ba<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>Nb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> nanoceramics prepared by chemical route

Barium-cobalt-bismuth-niobate, Ba_0.5Co_0.5Bi₂Nb₂O₉ (BCoBN) nanocrystalline ferroelectric ceramic was prepared through chemical route. XRD analysis showed single phase layered perovskite structure of BCoBN when calcined at 650 °C, 2 h. The average crystallite size was found to be 18 nm. The microstructure was studied through scanning electron microscopy. The dielectric and ferroelectric properties were investigated in the temperature range 50–500 °C. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss plot with respect to temperature both indicated strong relaxor behavior. Frequency versus complex impedance plot also supported the relaxor properties of the material. The impedance spectroscopy study showed only grain conductivity. Variation of ac conductivity study exhibited Arrhenius type of electrical conductivity where the hopping frequency shifted towards higher frequency region with increasing temperature. The ac conductivity values were used to evaluate the density of state at the Fermi level. The minimum hopping distance was found to be decreased with increasing temperature.     

Synthesis,structure and electrical studies of praseodymium doped barium zirconium titanate

Praseodymium (Pr) doped barium zirconium titanate with nominal composition (Ba_1−xPr_x)(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ (x = 0.1 and 0.2) were synthesized using solid state reaction method. X-ray analysis conform the formation of cubic phase Pr-doped barium zirconium titanate along with minor pyrochloric phase. The increase in grain size after primary investigation reveals the influence of Pr ions on the domain structure and its microstructure. In order to correlate the effect of the chemical composition with the conduction mechanism, different AC electrical parameters have been addressed. The frequency dependant tangent loss of the sample was less for both the ceramics. The temperature dependence results show that the dielectric parameters and resistivity increases as Pr-content in the ceramic increases; this is attributed to the grain size and dipole dynamics. Complex impedance (Z*) plots show frequency dependent behavior as the response for the grain resistance mechanisms. This mechanism has been represented by an equivalent circuit. The temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient showed n-type non-degenerated semiconductor in the measured temperature range. The temperature dependent conductivity measurement suggests a novel negative temperature coefficient of resistance behavior of the samples. Furthermore, the frequency dependent conductivity plot shows increasing behavior.     

Dielectric anomaly in LiCa2V5O15 ceramics

A polycrystalline sample of LiCa₂V₅O₁₅ (LCV) was prepared using a mixed oxide method at low temperature (i.e., at 630 °C). X-ray structural analysis shows the single-phase formation of the compound in the orthorhombic crystal system at room temperature. A study on the surface morphology of the compound showed uniform grain distribution on the surface and in the bulk of the sample with less porosity. A dielectric anomaly suggests that the compound has a transition temperature at 274 °C. The activation energy, calculated from the temperature dependence of ac conductivity (dielectric data), of the compound was found to be 0.67 eV at 10 kHz. The nature of the variation of conductivity and value of activation energy in different regions, suggest that the conduction process is of mixed type (i.e., ionic-polaronic and space charge generated from the oxygen ion vacancies).     

Dielectric and electric studies of the [N(CH3)4][N(C2H5)4]ZnCl4 compound at low temperature

The [N(CH₃)₄][N(C₂H₅)₄]ZnCl₄ compound was prepared and characterized by electrical technique. The temperature dependence of the dielectric permittivity shows that this compound is ferroelectric below T = 268 K. The two semi-circles observed in the complex impedance identify the presence of the grain interior and grain boundary contributions to the electrical response in the material. The equivalent circuit is modeled by a combination series of two parallel R_P–CPE circuits. The frequency dependent conductivity is interpreted in term of Jonscher's law. The modulus plots can be characterized by the empirical Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts (K.W.W.) function: ?(t) = exp [(−t/τ)^β]. The temperature dependence of the alternative current conductivity (σ_p), direct current conductivity (σ_dc) and the relaxation frequency (f_p) confirm the presence of the ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition.