Sintering characteristics and properties of sol gel derived Sr0.8Bi2.4Ta2.0O9 ceramics

Strontium bismuth tantalate (Sr0.8Bi2.4Ta2.0O9, SBT) powders have been prepared at a low processing temperature of 650°C using a sol–gel method. Sintering conditions have been optimized for preparing ceramics using sol gel powders and the effect of sintering characteristics on microstructure, dielectric and ferroelectric properties have been studied. Sintering conditions at 1000°C for 8 h are found to be optimum for achieving reproducible ferroelectric and dielectric properties. Longer sintering times (20 h) and a higher sintering temperature (1100°C) are found to degrade the microstructure and dielectric response. Reproducible ferroelectric to paraelectric transition is observed at 380°C, and a remnant polarization of 3 μC cm−2 with a coercive field of 30 KV cm−1 has been estimated from the ferroelectric hysteresis measurements.