Key Engineering Materials Vols. 421-422

Abstract: We investigated the crystallization behavior of langasite-type phases in the stoichiometric corresponding glasses, i.e., Na2CaGe6O14, Na2SrGe6O14 and Pb3Ga2Ge4O14. The langasite-type phases singly were formed by heat-treatment in the glasses. Raman spectroscopy revealed the structural similarity on the scale of short-/medium-range order between the langasite-type phases and the corresponding glasses. Furthermore, we also examined the temperature dependence of second-harmonic (SH) intensity of the langasite-type phases. The SH-temperature curves exhibited an anomalous behavior, implying a structural change, e.g., isomorphous phase transition.

Abstract: (x)CoFe2O4-(1-x) BaTiO3 thick film with x=0.2 was prepared by electrophoretic deposition technique using BaTiO3 and CoFe2O4 nanopowders. X-ray diffraction indicated the film was consisted of single spinel CoFe2O4 and perovskite BaTiO3 phase. The thick film exhibited good ferromagnetic and ferroelectric property. The dielectric properties were influenced by ferromagnetic phase, especially at low frequency and high temperature, which was attributed to space charge effects and Maxwell-Wagner relaxation.

Abstract: Perovskite SrZrO3 ceramics were successfully prepared via a combustion technique. The effect of calcination temperatures (900-1400oC) and sintering temperatures (1400-1650oC) on phase and morphology evolution of perovskite SrZrO3 ceramics were studied. The highest purity of perovskite phase powder was obtained at 1250 oC and the purity of the perovskite phase of SrZrO3 ceramics were detected in the samples sintered at 1550 oC for 6 h. The SEM results showed the average particle size (84-214 nm) and the average grain size (0.35-2.09 µm) of samples increased with the increase of firing temperatures. The shrinkage of the ceramics increased as the sintering temperatures increased. The maximum density was ~98.4% of the theoretical density for the sample sintered at 1550 oC for 6 h.

Abstract: In this work, we used Monte Carlo simulation to investigate the uniaxial stress dependence of the relaxor dielectric properties. The Metropolis algorithm and the spin glass type interaction were used in updating the local polarizations (representing the polar nano-regions). The exchange interaction in the spin glass Hamiltonian was assumed to be stress dependent via the strain. From the results, the frequency dependence of the dielectric permittivity were found, where, at high enough stress, the dielectric permittivity decreases with increasing stresses in qualitatively good agreement with experiments. In addition, from the modified Curie-Weiss law, all ’s stay close to 2. Therefore, this implies the frequency dispersion universality of the relaxor system under loading conditions.

Abstract: A 2D Monte Carlo simulation was done as an approach to get further insight of acceptor-doped ferroelectric material. By utilizing vector model allowing 14 directions of orientation for ferroelectric systems, Metropolis algorithm was applied on DIFFOUR Hamiltonian to obtain hysteresis profiles. Subjected to different concentration of acceptor dopants, power law scaling of hysteresis properties were obtained as functions of external parameters such as temperature, external field amplitude and frequency. The hysteresis loop shape and properties agreed well with those obtained experimentally.

Abstract: Barium strontium titanate (BST), which has a typical perovskite-type structure, shows excellent electrical properties. BST powders were synthesized by heating mixtures of commercial reagents with an excess of TiO2 in molten salts of KOH and KNO3, and the sintering behavior of the resulting powders was evaluated. The sample with the highest density of 95% was obtained by sintering of the BST powders.

Abstract: In this study, barium stannate titanate ceramics with an addition of boron oxide were synthesized via a solid-state sintering method. The effect of sintering aid on electrical and mechanical properties of barium stannate titanate ceramics was investigated. It was found that, the ceramic with 2 wt% boron oxide showed the lowest porosity and the highest dielectric constant of ~ 13700 at room temperature. In addition, an increase in the boron oxide content was observed to enhance the hardness of the ceramics. These results may be helpful in the multilayer capacitor applications.

Abstract: (Pb1-xSrx)TiO3 (PST) (x=0.25, 0.50) powders were synthesized by a mixed oxide solid-state reaction method under various calcination temperatures (600-1100oC). Powder samples were characterized using thermogravimetric (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), x–ray diffractrometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that a single-phase of PST for x=0.25 and 0.50 powders was successfully obtained with a calcination condition of 950 oC for 2 h with a heating/cooling rate of 5oC/min. The TGA-DTA results corresponded to the XRD investigation. The lattice parameter a increased whilst the lattice parameter c decreased with increasing calcination temperatures. The tetragonality of powders decreased with an increase of calcination temperatures. The average particle size of the powders increased with the increase of calcination temperature.

Abstract: The effect of calcination (1000-1400 oC) and sintering temperatures (1400-1600 oC) on the phase formation and microstructure of barium strontium zirconate titanate [(Ba0.25Sr0.75)(Zr0.75Ti0.25)O3; BSZT] ceramics were investigated. BSZT powders were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. Higher calcination temperatures increased the percentage of the perovskite phase, but decreased the lattice parameter a of BSZT powders. The pure perovskite phase of BSZT powders was detected above the calcination temperature of 1350 oC. The microstructure of BSZT powders exhibited an almost-spherical morphology and had a porous agglomerated form. The average particle size and the average grain size of the ceramics were increased with the increase of calcination and sintering temperatures. The highest density of the samples was 5.42 g/cm3 which was obtained from ceramic sintered at 1550 oC for 2 h.

Abstract: In this study, a room temperature aging behavior of Ba(Ti0.99Fe0.01)O3 was investigated. It was found that the dielectric constant decreased with time and ferroelectric P-E hysteresis loops became constricted loops after aging. Moreover, the room temperature aging behavior under various stresses was also observed. It was found that the relative changes of dielectric constant with time of Ba(Ti0.99Fe0.01)O3 ceramics under stress were lower than those under the stress-free condition. For P-E hysteresis loop measurement, it can be observed that P-E hysteresis loop of Ba(Ti0.99Fe0.01)O3 ceramics became constricted loops and remanant polarizations (Pr), saturated polarizations (Ps) were decreased after aging under all stress levels. These results suggested that the applied stress may partly clamp the domain wall motion, and altered the aging behavior of the ceramics.