Enhancement of ferroelectric and piezoelectric characteristics in europium substituted SrBi2Ta2O9 ferroelectric ceramics

Europium substituted samples of compositions Sr1-xEuxBi2Ta2O9 were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. The prepared samples were characterized for their structural and electrical properties. X-ray analysis confirms the formation of the single-phase layered perovskite structure. The microstructural studies reveal that the average grain size increases with increase in Eu content. An increase in remanent polarization and d(33) values with increasing concentration of europium has been observed. The maximum 2P(r)similar to 14 mu C/cm(2) is observed in the sample with x=0.20. The observed results have been discussed in terms of contribution from the cation vacancies introduced into the lattice structure due to donor doping. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.