Low-temperature synthesis of bismuth titanate by modified citrate amorphous method

Bismuth titanate is a lead-free piezoelectric ceramic with outstanding properties that strictly depend on the composition and microstructure. However, bismuth-based materials are difficult to synthesize due bismuth volatilisation causes secondary phases stoichiometry deviations. In this work, we propose low-temperature chemical route, i.e. modified amorphous citrate method, allows reduction of thermal treatment temperature, when compared solid-state or other routes, obtain single-phase samples. Single-phase powders particle size under 300 nm produced by calcination at 700 °C, prepared into homogeneous dense pellets (density above 95%), only isolated pores. The show two distinctive features in electrical behaviours directly associated their mica-like microstructure: planar oriented boundaries responsible for oxygen conduction, while bulk dominated electronic conductivity. samples high dielectric constant, around 200 room maintaining low loss factor. also achieved maximum polarisation 5.85 ?C/cm2 an inverse coefficient 7.4 pm/V. obtained comparable superior state-of-the-art.