Preparation of lanthanum doped Bi4Ti3O12 ceramics by the polymeric precursor method

Lanthanum-modified bismuth titanate, Bi4-xLaxTi3O12 (BLT) ceramics, with x ranging from 0 to 0.75 were prepared by the polymeric precursor method. Orthorhombicity of the system is decreased with the increase of lanthanum content in the bismuth titanate (BIT) crystal lattice. No secondary phases were evident after lanthanum addition. Increasing lanthanum content causes a structural distortion in the bismuth titanate lattice. The shape of the grains is strongly influenced by the lanthanum added to the system. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.