Atomic-resolution characterization on the structure of strontium doped barium titanate nanoparticles

Ferroelectric barium titanate nanoparticles (BTO NPs) may play critical roles in miniaturized passive electronic devices such as multi-layered ceramic capacitors. While increasing experimental and theoretical understandings on the structure of BTO doped have been developed over past decade, majority investigation was carried out thin-film materials; therefore, doping effect remains unclear. Especially, doping-induced local composition fluctuation across single yet to be unveiled. In this work, we use electron microscopy-based techniques including high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission microscopy (HAADF-STEM), integrated differential phase contrast (iDPC)-STEM, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) mapping reveal atomically resolved chemical crystal strontium nanoparticles. Powder diffraction (PXRD) results indicate that causes a structural transition from tetragonal cubic phase, but microscopic data validate substantial compositional microstructural inhomogeneities Our work provides new insights into NPs will facilitate materials design for next-generation high-density nano-dielectric devices.