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Enhancing the dielectric properties of (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(SnxZr0.10−xTi0.90)O3 lead-free ceramics by stannum substitution

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Abstract

A small amount of Sn4+ content has a great influence in the lowering the Curie temperature (Tc), enhancing the dielectric properties and reducing the piezoelectric performance of (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(SnxZr0.1−xTi0.90)O3 (x = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, 0.10) ceramics, and this reaction has been systematically studied. The samples were synthesized by using the conventional solid-state route and then sintered at 1450 °C. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, ac impedance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray and piezoelectric constant measurements. All the samples exhibited a tetragonal structure. The results showed that the dielectric properties increase as the Sn content increases, and Tc was lowered from 95 to 59 °C. The Tc shifted to a lower temperature due to the smaller ionic radii of Sn4+ being replaced by Zr4+ at B-sites and a decrease in the Ti–O bonds, thus weakening its interaction within the TiO6 octahedral. It was discovered that the tolerance factor becomes larger, and thus the deviation of the Sn4+ ions at B-sites are much easier, with enough space and enhanced ferroelectricity and dielectric properties. However, its piezoelectric properties were decreased since the tetragonality of the samples decreased with the addition of Sn4+ contents. The c-axis becomes shorter and reduces the dipole moment of the TiO6 octahedral. Moreover, the activation energies for Sn-doped BCZT ceramics associated with the ionization of oxygen vacancies create difficulties in electric domain rotation, thus reducing the polarizability of the samples.

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Acknowledgement

This work was financially supported by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia through the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme 2018 (FRGS Grant No.: FRGS/1/2018/STG07/UNIMAP/02/4).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Microelectronic Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 02600, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia

    Ku Noor Dhaniah Ku Muhsen & Rozana Aina Maulat Osman

  2. School of Materials Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 02600, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia

    Mohd Sobri Idris

  3. Center of Excellence for Frontier Materials Research, 01000, Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia

    Ku Noor Dhaniah Ku Muhsen, Rozana Aina Maulat Osman & Mohd Sobri Idris

  4. School of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

    Mohammad Hafizuddin Hj Jumali & Nor Huwaida Binti Jamil

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Contributions

KNDKM conducted the experimental work and wrote the manuscript, RAMO interpreted the data and designed the experimental work, MSI interpreted and analyzed the XRD data, MHHJ interpreted the piezoelectric measurement data and NHBJ supervised the experimental work using the piezoelectric tester.

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Correspondence to Rozana Aina Maulat Osman.

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Muhsen, K.N.D.K., Osman, R.A.M., Idris, M.S. et al. Enhancing the dielectric properties of (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(SnxZr0.10−xTi0.90)O3 lead-free ceramics by stannum substitution. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 30, 20654–20664 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-019-02431-5

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