Synthesis and ferroelectric properties of bismuth layer-structured (Bi7−xSrx)(Fe3−xTi3+x)O21 solid solutions

TLDR: In this article, a single-phase Bismuth layer-structured (Bi 7− x Sr x )(Fe 3− x Ti 3+ x )O 21 (BSFT) ceramics were synthesized and the ferroelectric properties and crystal structure were investigated.

Abstract: Bismuth layer-structured (Bi 7− x Sr x )(Fe 3− x Ti 3+ x )O 21 (BSFT) ceramics were synthesized and the ferroelectric properties and crystal structure were investigated. X-ray powder diffraction profiles and refinement of the lattice parameters indicated single phase BSFT was obtained in the composition range 0–1.5. The lattice parameter b of BSFT remained almost constant, while a slight decrease in the lattice parameter a was observed by the Sr and Ti substitution for Bi and Fe, respectively, which indicated an increase in the orthorhombicity. The dependence of the BSFT lattice parameter on temperature implied a phase transition from the orthorhombic to the tetragonal phase, which was in good agreement with the Curie temperature. The remnant polarization P r , of BSFT was significantly improved by the Sr and Ti substitution for Bi and Fe, and ranged from 9 to 16 μC/cm 2 , although no remarkable variation in the coercive field E c was observed. As a result, a well-saturated P – E hysteresis loop of BSFT ceramic was obtained at x =0.5 with a P r of 30 μC/cm at an applied voltage of 280 kV/cm.