Phase transitions and dielectric properties in Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3-BaTiO3 perovskite solid solutions

(1-x)Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O-3-xBaTiO(3) polycrystalline ceramics were obtained via solid state processing techniques. The perovskite structure was found to be stable for compositions containing x=0.66 or greater. Based on x-ray diffraction data, a morphotropic phase boundary between tetragonal and rhombohedral perovskite phases was observed at x approximate to 0.9. For compositions rich in BaTiO3, the symmetry of the perovskite phase was tetragonal but with increased Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O-3 content, the rhombohedral phase appeared. Dielectric characterization revealed that as Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O-3 content increased, the transition temperature decreased and the transition peak became very diffused. A comparison of the dielectric behavior with other Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O-3-based solid solutions is also discussed. (c) 2008 American Institute of Physics.