Enhanced dielectric properties in modified barium titanate ceramics through improved processing

Abstract: Ceramic samples of the nominal composition Ba(Zr x Ti1−x )O3 (x =0.15) were synthesized by the solid-state reaction method and the sintering was done in two different atmospheres—air and oxygen. Oxygen sintering resulted in samples with dense microstructures. Low field dielectric measurements showed an increase in the values of dielectric constants over the entire temperature range of measurement, in the oxygen-sintered samples. Similarly, polarization–electric field (P–E) hysteresis measurements indicated a marked increase in the value of remnant polarization in them. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]