A comparative study of Sr0.7Ba0.3Nb2O6 relaxor ferroelectric ceramics prepared by conventional and microwave sintering techniques

Sr0.7Ba0.3Nb2O6 (SBN70) ceramics were prepared by conventional sintering (CS) and microwave sintering (MWS) techniques. High-density ceramics were obtained by the MWS method in 2 h of cycle time, whereas it took 14 h by the CS method. Samples prepared by both sintering techniques showed single phase formation according to XRD results. It was observed that MWS SBN70 ceramics showed better densification and more uniform grain size than those of CS samples. The dielectric characteristics of both samples showed diffuse phase transition phenomenon features, which was confirmed by linear fitting of the modified Curie–Weiss law. Besides, the relaxor ferroelectric properties of both samples followed the Vogel–Fulcher relationship well. The value of spontaneous polarization (Ps) and the P–E hysteresis loop for MWS samples were significantly higher and slimmer than those of the CS samples, respectively.