Synthesis of Ba1-xSrxTiO3 (x=0-0.3) Ceramic Powders via Sol-Gel Method: Structural, Microstructure, Thermal Conductivity, and Compressive Strength Properties

Strontium-modified barium titanate ceramics with the compositional formula Ba1-xSrxTiO3 (barium strontium titanate, BSrxT) with (x = 0, 0.05, 0.125, 0.15, 0.20, and 0.3) have been synthesized through sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the as-prepared ceramics, calcined at a relatively low temperature (950 degrees C/3 h), reveal that BSrxT ceramics possess tetragonal structure in the range of x = 0-20% and shift into a cubic structure at high Sr composition (x = 30%). Based on XRD and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, the occupation of the Ba and/or Ti sites by strontium in the BaTiO3 system and the behaviors of the crystalline parameters as functions of the Sr content have been discussed. The scanning electron microscopy shows that the grain size and densification sensitively depend on the Sr content. The study of the thermal conductivity measurements performed on the as-prepared ceramics reveals the influence of Sr content on the thermal conductivity value. However, the microstructure of BSrxT impacts the compressive strength, therefore, the value of the latter is found to be decreased when the grain size increased.

Automated summary

The study investigates the crystal structure, microstructure, and thermal conductivity of Strontium-modified barium titanate ceramics (BSrxT) synthesized through the sol-gel method. The Sr content affects grain size, densification, thermal conductivity, and compressive strength of BSrxT ceramics. The study concludes that Sr content plays a significant role in determining the properties of BSrxT ceramics.