Influence of ZrO2 Addition on the Structure and Dielectric Properties of BaTiO3 Ceramics

Abstract

Ba(Ti1-xZrx)O-3 (x = 0 divided by 0.3) ceramics were prepared by the standard solid state reaction method and were sintered at 1450 degrees C for 4 h. The structural and dielectric properties of the samples were studied. The phases formed in the ZrO2 doped BaTiO3 were tetragonal and of cubic symmetry. Increase in ZrO2 content in the BaTiO3 caused to increase of the lattice parameter and crystallite size of the perovskite structure. The evolution of the Raman spectra was studied for various compositions and the spectroscopic signature of the corresponding phase was determined. The scanning electron microscope was used to investigate the microstructure and surface morphology of the sintered samples. Scanning electron microscope observations revealed enhanced microstructural uniformity and retarded grain growth with increase of ZrO2 content. Dielectric characteristics of ZrO2 doped barium titanate were studied using a Hioki 3532-50 LCR meter in the frequency range of 1 kHz-1 MHz. It is found that the dielectric constant (epsilon(r)) increases while the dielectric loss (tan delta) decreases with increase in zirconium oxide content (x < 0.3).