Temperature Dependence of Ultra-Low-Frequency Dielectric Relaxation of Barium Titanate Ceramic

Based on a linear voltage ramp method, ultraslow dielectric relaxation of undoped BaTiO₃ ceramic has been carefully measured over the temperature range between − 180° and +120°C. Temperature dependence of the dielectric constant in the frequency range from 10 ⁻⁵ to 10⁻¹ Hz can be obtained using Kramers–Kronig equations. Close to the Curie temperature, the dielectric constant increases so rapidly that the Curie peak is overwhelmed. Two kinds of relaxation processes were observed in this experiment. Ferroelectric domain and mobile charge are proposed to be responsible for the relaxation over the temperature range. With temperature increasing, Maxwell–Wagner relaxation associated with mobile charge gradually dominates. From relaxation time constants at various temperatures, relaxation activation energies about 0.06 and 0.09 eV are identified.