Effect of low-melting additives on the structure, phase transitions, and dielectric properties of 0.36BiScO3 • 0.64PbTiO3 ceramics

Ceramic samples of 0.36BiScO(3) center dot 0.64PbTiO(3) morphotropic phase boundary solid solutions modified with low-melting additives (bismuth, nickel, and manganese oxides and lithium fluoride; < 5 wt %) have been prepared by solid-state reactions, and the phase formation, microstructure, and dielectric properties of the ceramics have been investigated. The additives were shown to lower the formation temperature of the solid solutions and raise the density of the ceramics. Varying the heat treatment conditions, we obtained single-phase samples, both large-grained, ranging in grain size from a few to tens of microns, and fine-grained, with a submicron-scale microstructure. The ceramics were shown to form through liquid-phase sintering. The additives influenced the dielectric properties, electrical conductivity, Curie temperature, and dielectric relaxation of the ceramics.