Feroelectric and dielectric properties of phosphate bonded barium titanate

Abstract

Dielectric ceramics have a wide field of applications including, but not limited to capacitors, piezoelectric devices, memory systems, and sensors. While critical to modern day devices, the ceramics are typically prepared using methods that require specific equipment and are very energy intensive – such as spark plasma sintering, microwave sintering or hot pressing. As an alternative to these methods, a new brand of ceramics has emerged: phosphate bonded ceramics (PBCs). PBCs are made by mixing powdered ceramic with aluminum phosphate dissolved in water, and pressed uniaxially. Afterwards, the ceramics are heated up to 300 oC to speed up the curing process. Main advantage of such ceramics is the ease of preparation. Additionally, no thermal treatment above 300 oC is performed, which prevents growth of grains and, in case of mixed ceramics, prevents interphasial reactions. However, the ceramics produced typically display lower density, and are more lossy.