Structure and dielectric characteristics of (1 – <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>)BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>PbTiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> solid solutions

Undoped (1 – x)BiFeO₃–xPbTiO₃ binary solid solutions (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.50, Δx = 0.1) are obtained via a solid-state reaction combined with sintering in accordance with conventional ceramic technology. Features of their crystal structure formation and dielectric properties are studied in a wide range of temperatures and frequencies.     

Preparation,Structure, and Dielectric and Magnetic Properties of SrFe<Subscript>2/3</Subscript>W<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> Ceramics

Polycrystalline samples of SrFe_2/3W_1/3O₃ (SFWO) ceramic were obtained by solid-phase reactions with subsequent sintering using conventional ceramic technology. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that at room temperature, the SFWO ceramic is single-phase and has a perovskite-type structure with tetragonal symmetry and parameters a = 3.941(9) Å, c = 3.955(6) Å, and c/a = 1.0035. In studying the magnetic properties and the Mössbauer effect in SFWO ceramics, it is found that the material is a ferrimagnet, and the iron ions are only in the valence state of Fe³⁺. It is suggested that in the temperature range of T = 150–210°C, a smeared phase transition from a cubic (paraelectric) phase to a tetragonal (ferroelectric) phase takes place in SFWO with decreasing temperature.     

Internal friction phenomena in composites based on PZT-type ferroelectric powder and ferrites

The aim of the work was to determine the phenomena of internal friction (mechanical losses) occurring in ferroelectric-ferromagnetic composites created based on PZT-type ferroelectric powder and ferrite. The composites were obtained using ceramic powders – multi-component PZT-type solid solutions with ferroelectric properties. Their magnetic component included zinc-nickel powder Ni_0.64Zn_0.36Fe₂O₄. 30 × 10 × 1 mm³ test specimens were obtained using free sintering. Temperature Q^-1(T) and amplitude Q^-1(ε) internal friction dependencies were determined. Wide high temperature maxima were observed with regard to the internal friction temperature dependencies obtained for the tested specimens. The conducted measurements of amplitude (isothermal) dependencies of internal friction Q^-1(ε) for the tested composites have allowed for interpreting the previously observed maximum on the temperature dependencies of internal friction.     

Gd-doped SrTi<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>O<Subscript>3–δ</Subscript> mixed ionic-electronic conductors: structural,thermal, and electrical properties

The effect of Sr by Gd substitution on the structural, thermomechanical, electrical, and electrochemical properties of SrTi_0.5Fe_0.5O_3–δ was investigated in the present work. The powders were synthesized by a solid-state reaction method at 1150 °C with following sintering of the ceramic samples at 1350 °C. The unit cell parameters of the sintered Sr_1–x Gd _x Ti_0.5Fe_0.5O_3–δ (x = 0–0.4) ceramics were found to decrease with a gradual increase in Gd content, and a change in the crystal symmetry from cubic to tetragonal at x ≥ 0.1 was observed. It was found that the Gd doping enhanced the stability of the ceramic samples in a reducing atmosphere and reduced the thermal expansion coefficient value. Gd doping in the amount of 5 mol% can be used for long-term stabilization of the SrTi_0.5Fe_0.5O_3–δ material’s conductivity in reducing atmospheres with no significant alteration to the transport properties and oxygen permeability.     

Investigation of the closed porosity of functional ceramic materials by spin-echo small-angle neutron scattering

The closed porous structure in ceramic materials is investigated by spin-echo small-angle neutron scattering. A series of ceramic samples of oxygen–ion conductors based on bismuth molybdate with the general formula Bi_12.8 X _0.2Mo₅O_{34 ± δ} (X = Mg, Ba, Ca, Sr) is obtained by powder sintering for 6?45 h at a temperature close to the melting point. The samples are characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence analysis. It is found that they had a stoichiometric chemical composition, are singlephase, and contain clean pores between crystal grains. The pore size is determined by spin-echo small-angle neutron scattering and ranges from 2.2 to 3.5 μm. It is demonstrated that longer sintering times correspond to larger pores (the increase in their average diameter is as large as 30%). It is found that the studied materials lack a fractal pore structure.     

Theoretical study of the structure of lead zirconate–titanate PbZr<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>Ti<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

A model of the structure of the piezoelectric ceramic lead zirconate–titanate PbZr_1–x Ti _x O₃ (PZT) is proposed. The model is based on ab initio calculations for possible local structures using the density functional theory (DFT) approach. A comparison of the calculated neutron diffraction data for local structures and the measured diffraction data obtained for actual powder samples shows there is a partially established long-range crystalline order in the material, in the sublattice of Zr and Ti cations.     

Microwave dielectric properties of Ba(Zn<Subscript>1/3</Subscript>Ta<Subscript>2 / 3</Subscript>)O<Subscript>3</Subscript> for application in high power waveguide window

Higher dielectric constant, low dielectric loss and good transmission characteristicshave been the goal for developing the ceramic waveguide window for high power windowapplications. The choice of materials having high k with low dielectric lossand reduced window size is key parameters to achieve maximum microwave transmissionwithout unleashing microwave dissipation. The microwave dielectric properties ofsynthesized Ba(Zn_1/3Ta_{2 /3})O₃ (BZT) ceramics have been studied for high power windowapplications. The structural studies are correlated with microwave dielectric propertiesof BZT. The maximum values of dielectric constant ?_r =30, Q ×f₀ = 102 THz and near zero temperaturecoefficient of resonance frequency were obtained for BZT ceramics sintered at thetemperature of 1550 °Cfor 4 h. The measured results are used to design a tapered transition from air filledwaveguide to narrow (reduced width and height) dielectric filled waveguide using Heckenslinear taper at a specific frequency. The simulation result shows that the lowerreflection loss is obtained for the tapered transition of the narrow BZT window ascompared to the standard waveguide BZT window. The return loss of –34 dB is obtained forS-bandwaveguide window with a bandwidth of 675 MHz. The return loss observed in the narrow BZTwindow is –46 dB with a bandwidth of 570 MHz at a center frequency of 3.63 GHz. Most ofthe disadvantages in conventional windows will be rectified using the design of the tapertransion employing narrow waveguide window in high power applications.     

Investigation of the thermophysical properties of oxide ceramic materials at liquid-helium temperatures

The main regularities in the transport of thermal phonons in oxide ceramic materials are investigated at liquid-helium temperatures. The dependences of the thermophysical characteristics of ceramic materials on their structural parameters (such as the grain size R, the grain boundary thickness d, and the structure of grain boundaries) are analyzed. It is demonstrated that, in dense coarse-grained ceramic materials with qR?1 (where q is the phonon wave vector), the grain boundaries and the grain size are the main factors responsible for the thermophysical characteristics of the material at liquid-helium temperatures. A comparative analysis of the thermophysical characteristics of optically transparent ceramic materials based on the Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (YAG) and Y₂O₃ cubic oxides synthesized under different technological conditions is performed using the proposed criterion.     

Structure,Ferroelectric, and Magnetoelectric Properties of Bulk PZT–NiFe<Subscript>1.9</Subscript>Co<Subscript>0.02</Subscript>О<Subscript>4 – δ</Subscript> Composites

The phase composition, microstructure, and dielectric, ferroelectric, magnetic, and magnetoelectric properties of bulk ceramic (1 – x)PZT–xNiFe_1.9Co_0.02О_{4 – δ} composites with 3–0 connectivity have been studied. Using X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy, it has been established that the ferrimagnetic (spinel- like) and ferroelectric (tetragonal perovskite-like) phases separately exist in the composites of all compositions. The simultaneous existence of ferroelectric and ferrimagnetic properties in the composites is confirmed by measuring their P(E) and σ(B) hysteresis loops and studying the temperature dependences of dielectric and magnetic properties. The synthesized composites have high magnetoelectric characteristics: their voltage coefficient at x = 0.4 is 215 mV/A at a frequency of 1 kHz and 130 V/A at an electromechanical resonance frequency of 380 kHz.     

Enhanced ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties in La-modified PZT ceramics

The effect of lanthanum (La) doping on ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) sample has been investigated. Pb_1?x La _x Zr_0.52Ti_0.48O₃ ceramics with x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.10 were prepared by the sol–gel technique. Raman and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy have been employed to understand the structural modification due to ionic size mismatch. Raman spectra show the existence of both rhombohedral and tetragonal crystal symmetries. It also shows the dielectric relaxation with increase in La concentration in the sample. The increase in lattice strain due to La doping increases the remnant polarization and coercive field. The linear piezoelectric coefficient increases with the increase in La concentration. It reveals that La-substituted PZT is a better candidate for piezoelectric sensor applications as compared to that of PZT.     

Resonant scattering of nonequilibrium phonons (<Emphasis Type="Italic">λ</Emphasis><Subscript>ph</Subscript> = 10–50 nm) in nanostructured ceramics based on YSZ + Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> composites

Specific features of the transport of weakly nonequilibrium thermal phonons (λ _ph = 10–50 nm) in nanoscale ceramics at a transition from micro-to nanosizes have been investigated. On the basis of the model of spherical shells randomly distributed in space and modeling grain boundaries, whose elastic properties differ from the elastic properties of grains, features of the phonon spectrum in the wavelength range λ _ph ～ R _g have been studied. The conditions leading to the occurrence of a gap in the phonon spectrum of nanoscale materials are analyzed. It is shown that the position of the top gap edge in the phonon spectrum is determined to a large extent by the structure of phase boundaries, while the presence of inclusions (pores, other phases) with characteristic sizes smaller than that of grains of the main ceramic material shifts the gap to high frequencies in the phonon spectrum. Temperature dependences of the diffusion coefficient of nonequilibrium phonons near the top gap edge in the phonon spectrum have been measured for multiphase ceramics based on YSZ + 14.3% Al₂O₃ composites.     

Effect of the Sintering Temperature on the Formation of Ferroelectric Properties of a Lead Zirconate–Titanate Ceramic

Effect of the sintering temperature on the formation of the microstructure, the domain structure, and the ferroelectric properties of a lead zirconate–titanate Pb(Ti _x Zr_{1 – x})O₃ piezoelectric ceramics has been studied. It is shown that the ferroelectric phase forms at a sintering temperature of 860°C. At higher sintering temperatures, the main effect on the properties is due to a unit cell deformation and free charge carriers.     

Aging of ceramic carbonized hydroxyapatite at room temperature

The process of aging of ceramic carbonized hydroxyapatite (CHA) produced in a dry carbon dioxide atmosphere at temperatures of 800–1200°C has been studied by chemical and X-ray structural analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy methods. The phase composition and structure of initial prepared ceramics samples and those aged for a year have been compared. It has been shown that relaxation of internal stresses occurring during pressed sample sintering causes plastic deformation of crystallites at room temperature, accompanied by redistribution of carbonate ions between A1, A2, B1, and B2 sites and CHA decomposition with the formation of CaO separations.     

Resistive sensor of weak magnetic fields on the basis of a thick HTSC film

The following parameters have been obtained for a thick (thickness t ～50 μm) film of high-temperature superconducting ceramics of the Bi-2223 system have been implemented: magnetosensitivity S _u ～ 29 V T^?1 and resolutions δB ～ 3 nT and δ? ～ 4?₀ in magnetic field and magnetic flux, respectively. It is shown that the film magnetosensitivity can be significantly increased due to the size effect. The expected characteristics, estimated with allowance for the size effect, are S _u ≥ 1000 V T^?1, δB ～ 0.01 nT, δ? ～ 0.01 ?₀, and the range of dynamic measurement ≥150 dB.     

Resonant Raman scattering in superconducting Ba<Subscript>1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>K<Subscript>x</Subscript>BiO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The effect of the photon energy of the exciting laser radiation on the Raman spectra of Ba_1?xK_xBiO₃ with x=0.25, 0.40, and 0.50 is studied. An increase in the laser wavelength from 488 to 750 nm scarcely affects the amplitudes and frequencies of the spectral lines in the Raman spectra of the nonsuperconducting compound with x=0.25. For the optimally doped (x=0.40) and overdoped (x=0.50) superconducting compounds, a substantial increase in the line intensity and a considerable shift of the characteristic frequencies are observed. This result suggests that, in the whole range of superconducting compositions 0.37≤x≤0.50, the local symmetry of the Ba_1?xK_xBiO₃ crystal lattice differs from the perfect cubic symmetry, which should take place according to the literature data. The fact that resonance phenomena are observed when the laser photon energy is shifted toward the optical gap testifies to the presence of local electron pairs in the whole range of superconducting compositions 0.37≤x≤0.50 and is evidence in favor of the superconductivity mechanism proposed for Ba_1?xK_xBiO₃ on the basis of the X-ray absorption studies in our previous paper.     

Influence of microporosity on the strength properties of SiC ceramic materials

A series of silicon carbide ceramic samples with variable characteristics of the microporosity and strength, such as the ballistic strength σ _B and the static strength σ _S , are investigated. The dependences of the strength on the integral porosity for ceramic materials are determined. It is established that the strength (both σ _B and σ _S ) is directly proportional to the average length of the bridges between micropores. The mechanism of the influence of microporosity on the strength of the ceramic materials is elucidated. According to this mechanism, interpore bridges are concentrators of stresses and, hence, are broken when a load is applied to the ceramic material. Numerous breakings of bridges bring about the failure of the ceramic body. The average stress concentration coefficient is estimated as a function of the integral porosity of the ceramic material. It is demonstrated that the static strength of the ceramic material is determined by the presence of large micropores (50–100 μm).     

Investigation of dielectric aging in layered ferroelectrics

The specific features of long-term relaxation of the polarization in the Na_0.5Bi_8.5Ti₂Nb₄O₂₇ and Na_0.5Bi_8.5Ti₂Ta₄O₂₇ ceramic materials with different prehistories are investigated. It is established that, for the Na_0.5Bi_8.5Ti₂Nb₄O₂₇ and Na_0.5Bi_8.5Ti₂Ta₄O₂₇ ceramic materials, a change in the measurement conditions, including heating or cooling to the temperature T _a under investigation, leads to a change in the time dependence ε′(t) describing the dielectric aging of the material at T _a = const. The results obtained are discussed from the viewpoint of the possible existence of defect complexes in disordered ferroelectrics.     

Anti-Stokes Luminescence in LiYF<Subscript>4</Subscript>:Ho<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Ceramics Excited at 1.93 μm

Conversion of IR radiation of a Tm:YAP laser with a wavelength of 1930 nm into visible light by ceramics of composition LiY_(1–x–y) Ho _x Yb _y , where х = 1–5 mol % and y = 0–15 mol %, is demonstrated. It is shown that the threshold power density of IR light visualization decreases with increasing concentration of Ho³⁺ ions, while additional doping of ceramic samples with Yb³⁺ ions changes the anti-Stokes luminescence spectrum. The threshold power density of visualization of the Tm:YAP laser radiation decreases with increasing concentration of holmium ions and is I_thr ≈ 0.8 W cm^–2 in the samples of composition LiYF₄:5%Ho³⁺–15%Yb³⁺.     

AC conductivity of BiFeO<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics obtained by spark plasma sintering of nanopowder

The structure and electrical properties of BiFeO₃ ceramics obtained by spark plasma sintering of a nanopowder are investigated. The nanopowder was synthesized by burning of an organic nitrate precursor. The ac conductivity was measured in a frequency range of 1 kHz–10 MHz in a temperature interval of 25–500°C. It is established that the temperature conductivity coefficients above and below ~350°C significantly differ with both alternating and direct currents. The frequency dependence of the conductivity obeys the Jonscher power law σ ~ ω ^s , where s < 1. The interpretation of this behavior is given in the framework of the model of correlated hops of charge carriers over potential barriers. It is assumed that the hopping mechanism is realized between Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions in ceramic grains. The role of oxygen vacancies in the conduction is also discussed.     

Study on LiFe<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Sm<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>/C used as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries with low Sm component

LiFe_1???x Sm _x PO₄/C cathode materials were synthesized though a facile hydrothermal method. Compared with high-temperature solid-phase sintering, the method can allow for the fabrication of low Sm content (2 %), a scarce and expensive rare earth element, while the presence of an optimized carbon coating with large amount of sp²-type carbon sharply increases the material’s electrochemical performance. The high-rate dischargeability at 5 C, as well as the exchange current density, can be increased by 21 and 86 %, respectively, which were attributed to the fine size and the large cell parameter a/c as much. It should be pointed out that the a/c value will be increased for the LiFePO₄ Sm-doped papered by both of the two methods, while the mechanism is different: The value c is increased for the front and the value a is decreased for the latter, respectively.