Soft Combustion Technique: Solution Combustion Synthesis and Low-Temperature Combustion Synthesis; to Prepare Bi4Ti3O12 Powders and Bulk Ceramics

Bi4Ti3O12 (BTO) powders were synthesized using soft combustion techniques, specifically known as Solution Combustion Synthesis (SCS) and Low-temperature Combustion Synthesis (LCS). XRD results showed that the single phase BTO was obtained following calcinations at 800 degrees C for the sample prepared using SCS; compared to after combustion, for the sample prepared using LCS. The TG/DTA showed a combustion temperature of around 252 - 280 degrees C, which became stable with a single phase BTO at 500 degrees C and above. Sintering was carried out at 1,100 degrees C for 3 h, to determine the microstructures, grain orientation, relative density, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties, of the bulk ceramics. It was found that the bulk ceramics prepared using SCS exhibited elongated-like grains, strong (117)-preferred grain orientation, a relative density of 93.3%, epsilon(r) = 320 - 360, tan delta = 0.03 - 0.1, P-r = 6.8 mu C/cm(2), and E-c = 20 kV/cm. Meanwhile, the bulk ceramics prepared using LCS showed plate-like grains, strong c-preferred grain orientation, a relative density of 83%, epsilon(r) = 143 - 195, tan delta = 0.01 - 0.38, P-r = 5.9 mu C/cm(2), and E-c = 30 kV/cm.