ABSTRACT
Herein this study, the polycrystalline nature of the Aurivillius type structure is studied; primarily, the main objective is to observe the influence of dopant Pr3+ at the Ba2+-site of BaBi2Nb2O9 (BBN) ceramics. The ceramics under investigation were fabricated via the conventional solid-state reaction method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) techniques were used to analyse their morphological structure. It was found that the chemical composition of the ceramic samples corresponds well to the initial stoichiometry of the ceramic powders. An increase in praseodymium content caused a slight decrease in the average size of the ceramic grains. The obtained ceramic materials are described by a tetragonal structure with the space group I4/mmm. The electrical properties of the material have been studied using complex impedance spectroscopy methods in wide temperature and frequency ranges. The analysis of obtained results showed grains and grain boundaries contribute to conductive processes in the material. A possible 'hopping' mechanism for electrical transport processes in the system is evident from the analysis of results based on Joncher law.
ABSTRACT
The Pr3+-doped solid solutions from (Ba,Ca)(Ti,Zr)O3 (BCTZO) system were successfully synthesized using an efficient and low-energy consuming route-the Pechini method combined with the sintering at relatively low temperature (1450 °C). The obtained materials were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The dielectric properties were systematically studied. The Pr3+-doped BCTZO diphasic material generates intense and broad red photoluminescence (PL) emission at room temperature. The optical properties were significantly improved with the Ti4+ substitution by Zr4+ ions. As a result, the Pr3+-doped (Ba,Ca)(Ti,Zr)O3 ceramics is a promising candidate for environmentally friendly, multifunctional material by combining good dielectric and photoluminescent properties with prognosis for the manifestation of strong photoluminescent and mechanoluminescent effects.
ABSTRACT
Multiferroic solid solutions of Ba1-xLaxTi1-x/4O3 and iron (BLFT) were synthesized using the conventional mixed oxide method. The dependence of the piezoelectric coefficients on Fe content in BLFT ceramics was determined by the quasi-static and resonance method. The results indicate that 0.3 mol% addition of Fe3+ ions to the ceramic structure increased the value of the piezoelectric parameter d33 to the maximum of 159 pC/N. This puts BLFT ceramics among other good-quality and lead-free piezoelectric ceramics. A major enhancement of dielectric properties related to the manipulation of Fe content in the barium lanthanum titanate (BLT) ceramics system is reported as well.
ABSTRACT
Piezoelectric composites with 3-3 connectivity gathered attraction due to their potential application as an acoustic transducer in medical imaging, non-destructive testing, etc. In this contribution, piezoelectric composites were fabricated with a material extrusion-based additive manufacturing process (MEX), also well-known under the names fused deposition modeling (FDM), fused filament fabrication (FFF) or fused deposition ceramics (FDC). Thermoplastic filaments were used to achieve open and offset printed piezoelectric scaffold structures. Both scaffold structures were printed, debinded and sintered successfully using commercial PZT and BaTiO3 powder. For the first time, it could be demonstrated, that using the MEX processing method, closed pore ferroelectric structure can be achieved without pore-former additive. After ceramic processing, the PZT scaffold structures were impregnated with epoxy resin to convert them into composites with 3-3 connectivity. A series of composites with varying ceramic content were achieved by changing the infill parameter during the 3D printing process systematically, and their electromechanical properties were investigated using the electromechanical aix PES device. Also, the Figure of merit (FOM) of these composites was calculated to assess the potential of this material as a candidate for transducer applications. A maximum for the FOM at 25 vol.% of PZT could be observed in this study.
ABSTRACT
This paper investigates the impact of the technological process (Mechanochemical Activation (MA) of the powder in combination with the Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) method) on the final properties of lead-free Ba(Fe1/2Nb1/2)O3 (BFN) ceramic materials. The BFN powders were obtained for different MA duration times (x from 10 to 100 h). The mechanically activated BFN powders were used in the technological process of the BFN ceramics by the SPS method. The measurements of the BFNxMA ceramic samples included the following analysis: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS), DC electrical conductivity, and dielectric properties. X-ray diffractions (XRD) tests showed the appearance of the perovskite phase of BFN powders after 10 h of milling time. The longer milling time (up 20 h) causes the amount of the perovskite phase to gradually increase, and the diffraction peaks are more clearly visible. Short high energy milling times favor a large heterogeneity of the grain shape and size. Increasing the MA milling time to 40 h significantly improves the microstructure of BFN ceramics sintered in the SPS technology. The microstructure becomes fine-grained with clearly visible grain boundaries and higher grain size uniformity. Temperature measurements of the BFN ceramics show a number of interesting dielectric properties, i.e., high values of electric permittivity, relaxation properties with a diffusion phase transition, as well as negative values of dielectric properties occurring at high temperatures. The high electric permittivity values predestines the BFNxMA materials for energy storage applications e.g., high energy density batteries, while the negative values of dielectric properties can be used for shield elements against the electromagnetic radiation.
ABSTRACT
There is a strong need in the industry to develop lead-free piezoelectrics for sensors and actuators. Although these materials have become an important component of many electronic devices, it is very important for the industry to decarbonise ceramic technology, especially through the introduction of modern sintering technologies. Among the many piezoelectric compounds available, Calcium Barium Titanate (BCT) have been widely investigated because of its similar performance to lead-containing Lead Titanate Zirconate (PZT). In this paper, a modified Pechini method for obtaining ceramic Ba0.9Ca0.1TiO3 nano-powders is described. Deviation from the established procedure resulted in the precipitation of the solution or obtaining of a low-quality (poorly crystallized) product with numerous impurities. The samples of BCT materials were examined to find their ideal microstructures and structures; these factors were confirmed by their outstanding X-ray diffraction spectra and high piezoelectric constant values that are comparable to commercial lead-containing materials.
ABSTRACT
Mechanochemical synthesis offers unique possibility of perovskite phase formation at ambient conditions that is very attractive (simplifies production, allows strict stoichiometry control and brings economic benefits). In this work the mechanochemical synthesis has been used for preparation ofBa1-xCaxTiO3 (0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) powders from simple oxides. The 20 h milled powders have been uniaxially pressed and sintered in order to get the ceramic samples. The sample morphologies have been observed by scanning electron microscopy. Dielectric and impedance studies have been performed on ceramics. The obtained results indicate that the two mechanism of doping occurred. The first one is observed for the lower calcium concentration (below 0.3) and consists of the introduction of calcium ion into the A site of the perovskite structure. The second one is observed for the higher calcium concentration (equal 0.3). In this case the calcium ions partially occupies the B site in the perovskite structure. Both cases have different influence on the final properties of the ceramics because they induce different defects.
ABSTRACT
Enhanced functionality of electro-optic devices by implementing piezoelectric micro fibers into their construction is proposed. Lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) ceramics are known to exhibit high light transparency, desirable electro-optic properties and fast response. In this study PLZT fibers with a diameter of around 300 microns were produced by a thermoplastic processing method and their light-induced impedance and piezoelectric coefficient were investigated at relatively low light intensity (below 50 mW/cm2). The authors experimentally proved higher performance of light controlled microfiber transducers in comparison to their bulk form. The advantage of the high surface area to volume ratio is shown to be an excellent technique to design high quality light sensors by using fibrous materials. The UV absorption induced change in elastic constants of 3% and 4% for the piezoelectric coefficient d(33).
