Investigation of polymorphic tetragonal phase in BaNb2O6 nanoparticles by ferroelectricity

In this paper, we report the existence of polymorphic tetragonal phase in BaNb2O6 (BN) nanoparticles for the first time. Polymorphic tetragonal tungsten bronze (TTB)-like and orthorhombic phases of BN compound were obtained by a citrate-gel method. The obtained TTB-like phase was not solely confirmed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern because of the admixture of two phases. However, by the additional characterizations such as morphology of the synthesized particles, well-defined ferroelectric hysteresis loops, and presence of 180 degrees domains the TTB-like phase was identified. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.