Influence of processing parameters on the structure and properties of barium strontium titanate ceramics

Barium strontium titanate (BST) with the molar formula (Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3) has been prepared by two different processing methods: mixed-oxide (BST-MO) and reaction-sintering (BST-RS). X-ray powder diffraction study shows differences in grain size and crystal symmetry for both these ceramics. The former shows a tetragonal symmetry while the latter presents a cubic symmetry. The occurrence of polar micro-regions associated with the higher chemical non-homogeneous distribution of ion defects from the influence of the processing parameters is the main reason for the higher peak dielectric constant (Km), the higher remanent polarization (Pr), the higher coercive field (Ec), the higher peak current density (Jm), and the lower temperature of peak dielectric constant (Tm) in BST-MO ceramics.