Growth of (Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3-SrTiO3 single crystals by solid state crystal growth

Single crystals of 0.8(Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3-0.2SrTiO(3) were grown for the first time by the Solid State Crystal Growth technique (SSCG). [001], [110] and [111]-oriented seed crystals of SrTiO3 were buried in 0.8 (Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3-0.2SrTiO3 powder which was then pressed to form samples. Samples were sintered at 1200 degrees C for 20 h and single crystals of 0.8(Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3-0.2SrTiO3 grew on the seeds. The direction of least growth was [001] (similar to 60 mu m), with the [110] and [111] directions having growth distances of similar to 200 mu m. Chemical composition of the crystals was analyzed by Electron Probe Micro Analysis and found to be close to the nominal composition, with some volatilization of Na and Bi. Micro-Raman scattering showed that the single crystal has the (Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3 structure. In order to measure the electrical properties, a single crystalline thick film of 0.8(Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3-0.2SrTiO3 was grown on a [001]-oriented Nb-doped SrTiO3 seed crystal. The single crystalline thick film showed relaxor-like relative permittivity vs. temperature behavior and polarization-electric field hysteresis loops for a lossy ferroelectric material. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.