Grain growth behavior in bismuth titanate-based ceramics

Bismuth titanate and lanthanum-doped bismuth titanate ceramics were prepared from freeze-dried powders employing conventional solid state reaction and sintering procedures. The sintering process was carried out at 1150 °C from 4 up to 48 h. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that preferred orientation was reduced in bismuth titanate ceramic as sintering time increased while lanthanum-doped sample showed much less degree of preferred orientation and was independent of sintering time. Grain growth studies also showed that initial anisotropic grain growth rate was the main factor controlling the grain morphology, rendering the plate-shaped grain in both pure and lanthanum-doped bismuth titanate ceramics. Based on established grain growth law, pore-controlled diffusion could be the major mechanism determining the observed microstructure in these layered compounds.     

Structure-property relations of co-doped bismuth layer-structured Bi3.25La0.75(Ti1-xMox)3O12 ceramics

In this work, the fabrication and investigation of substituting higher-valence Mo⁶⁺ for Ti⁴⁺ ion on the B-site of La³⁺-doped Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ [BLT] structure to form Bi_3.25La_0.75(Ti_1-x Mo _x )₃O₁₂ [BLTM] (when x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 0.07, 0.09, and 0.10) ceramics were carried out. X-ray diffraction patterns of BLTM ceramics indicated an orthorhombic structure with lattice distortion, especially with a higher concentration of a MoO₃ dopant. Microstructural investigation showed that all ceramics composed mainly of plate-like grains. An increase in MoO₃ doping content increased the length and thickness of the grain but reduced the density of the ceramics. Electrical conductivity was found to decrease, while the dielectric constant increased with Mo⁶⁺ doping concentration. Ferroelectric properties were found to be improved with increasing MoO₃ content and were optimized at x = 0.1.     

Effects of Nd and Co co-doping on phase,microstructure and ferromagnetic properties of bismuth ferrite ceramics

In this work, the samples of Bi_0.95Nd_0.05Co_xFe_1?xO₃ (BNFCO) with x=0, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07 mol fraction, were prepared by a solid state reaction. The effect of Nd and Co co-doping concentration on phase, densification, microstructure and ferromagnetic properties were examined. The BNFCO powders were prepared using a mixed-oxide method and calcined at 800 °C for 2 h before being pressed and sintered at various temperatures in the range of 825–900 °C for 2 h. An increase in Co co-doping content increased density of the ceramics. Phase analysis by X-ray diffraction indicated the existence of rhombohedral phase for all BNFCO powders and ceramics. Microstructural investigation using the scanning electron microscope showed a reduction of grain size with increasing Co content. Magnetic hysteresis loops showed that remanent magnetization and coercive magnetic field of the Co-doped samples were improved.     

Effects of Mn-dopant on phase,microstructure and electrical properties in Bi3.25La0.75Ti3O12 ceramics

Lanthanum-doped bismuth titanate (Bi_3.25La_0.75Ti₃O₁₂ or BLT) is important ferroelectric materials for FeRAMS, which need further improved by substituting isovalent cations to assist the elimination of defects such as oxygen vacancy. In this work, fabrication and investigation of substituting Mn⁴⁺ for Ti⁴⁺ ion on B-site of Bi_3.25La_0.75Ti₃O₁₂ ceramics were carried out. X-ray diffraction patterns of BLTMn ceramics indicated orthorhombic structure with lattice distortion, especially for samples with higher concentration of MnO₂ dopant. Microstructural investigation showed that all ceramics composed mainly of plate-like grains. An increase in MnO₂ doping content increased diameter and thickness of grains but reduced density of the ceramics. Electrical conductivity was found to decrease while dielectric constant increased with Mn⁴⁺ doping concentration.