Processing and dielectric properties of Bi4Srn−3TinO3n+3 (n = 3, 4 and 5) ceramics obtained from mechanochemically activated precursors

The processing of ceramics of ferroelectric, high-Curie temperature Bi4Ti3O12, Bi4SrTi4O15 and Bi4Sr2Ti5O18 from nanometer particle size powders, obtained by mechanochemical activation, is studied for piezoelectric applications. The effect of the size of the perovskite block (n value) on the density, texture and microstructure of the ceramics processed from the mechanoactivated powders is established. Dielectric properties as a function of temperature and frequency, and piezoelectric coefficients are measured. These powders allow Aurivillius single phase ceramics with good properties to be processed at temperatures significantly lower than conventional solid state reactions.