Synthesis, microstructure and dielectric properties of Sb-doped multiferroic Bi0.8Ba0.2Fe1−xSbxO3 ceramics

Abstract

The multiferroic ceramics Bi0.8Ba0.2Fe1−xSbxO3 with x=0, 0.01, and 0.02 were synthesized using the solid-phase reaction technique. The samples were sintered at two different temperatures, 850∘C and 900∘C. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the effect of antimony concentration on grain size and formation. The effect of Sb-doping on the crystal structure and ferroelectric properties of these ceramics was investigated using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and dielectric measurements. The dielectric constant was enhanced upon Fe3+ substitution by Sb3+ without affecting the dielectric loss of the ceramics. The tetragonal distortion of the rhombohedral symmetry of BiFeO3 caused by Ba-doping at Bi3+ site was lifted by Sb-doping at Fe3+ site.

Keywords

• Multiferroic ceramics
• solid phase reaction
• X-ray diffraction
• scanning electron microscopy
• dielectric properties