X-ray diffraction, dielectric and Raman spectroscopy studies of Ba1-xNd2x/3(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 ceramics

Polycrystalline samples of Ba1-xNd2x/3(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O-3 (0 <= x <= 0.125) have been synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reaction technique. These ceramics were characterized by X-ray diffraction as well as dielectric permittivity measurements and Raman spectroscopy. The ceramic samples crystallize in the tetragonal perovskite structure for x=0 and in cubic for 0.025 <= x <= 0.125. Dielectric measurements showed that prepared compositions exhibit an evolution from a classical ferroelectric to a relaxor ferroelectric with rising substitution rate x. T-C or T-m decreases when neodymium (Nd) is introduced in the lattice of Ba(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O-3. A relaxor character with Delta T-m=12 K and epsilon(r)' about 11.650 at 1 kHz with T-m = 212 K was found for Ba0.9Nd0.06(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O-3 composition. The evolution of the Raman spectra was studied as a function of compositions and temperatures. The results of the Raman spectroscopy studies confirm our dielectric measurements. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.