Lanthanum modified bismuth titanate prepared by a hydrolysis method

La-modified bismuth titanate ceramics with compositions of Bi4-xLaxTi3O12 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.75) were fabricated using powders prepared by a hydrolysis method. It was found that the partial substitution of lanthanum for bismuth in the Bi4Ti3O12 lattice significantly influenced the crystallization behavior, IR characteristics, and sinterability of the powder, as well as the microstructure and the dielectric properties of the sintered ceramics. The formation of the Bi2Ti2O7 intermediate phase during the powder crystallization process was suppressed, and the IR bands corresponding to Ti-O stretching vibrations were shifted to higher wavenumbers in La-modified bismuth titanate. With an increase in the doping level of lanthanum, the sintering temperature was steadily elevated, while the grain growth speed was reduced; and the dielectric property measurement indicated a continuous decrease in the Curie temperature and dielectric loss.