Absence of tetragonal distortion in (1-x)SrTiO3-xBi(Zn 1/2Ti1/2)O3 solid solution

Abstract

We have carried out powder x-ray diffraction and dielectric studies on the lead free solid solution (1-x)SrTiO3-xBi(Zn1/2Ti 1/2)O3 [(1-x)ST-xBZT] with x 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.30, and 0.50 to explore the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties. Analysis of the powder x-ray diffraction data reveals the cubic structure (space group Pm3m) of (1-x)ST-xBZT for the composition with x 0.20, at room temperature as well as at low temperature. Highly tetragonal BZT fails to introduce any tetragonality when alloyed with ST. The solid solubility is limited to x 0.20 and for higher BZT concentrations impurity phases start appearing. The ferroelectric and dielectric characterization of (1-x)ST-xBZT solid solution shows that all the compositions are paraelectric. The implications of the absence of tetragonal distortion in (1-x)ST-xBZT solid solution is discussed in connection with recently investigated other solid solutions based on BZT. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.