Structural, dielectric, and impedance studies of Ta5+ substituted Sr0.6Mg0.4Nb2(1-x)Ta2xO6 (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.06) lead-free ceramics
摘要
Lead-free ceramic system with a chemical composition of Sr0.6Mg0.4Nb2(1-x)Ta2xO6 (x = 0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06) was synthesized using a solid-state reaction method. The structural properties were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD results confirmed the formation of coexisting monoclinic and orthorhombic phases, and the lattice parameters varied with Ta5+ substitution. Dielectric studies revealed that the Curie temperature (Tc) increased with Ta5+ substitution up to x = 0.04, and the highest Tc (~ 62 °C at 1 MHz) for x = 0.04 suggests an optimal level of Ta5+ substitution, after which it decreased, indicating an optimal doping level for enhanced ferroelectric properties. Impedance spectroscopy revealed that the grain resistance decreased with increasing temperature, suggesting a thermally activated conduction process. Electric modulus analysis indicated a non-Debye relaxation behavior, with relaxation times decreasing as the temperature increased. The activation energies for both the DC and AC conductivities were calculated, and the highest DC energy gap (0.034 eV) was found for the x = 0.04 sample, revealing ionic conduction as the dominant mechanism. Ta5+ substitution significantly influences the dielectric and electrical properties of the material, making it a promising candidate for electronic applications, such as capacitors and resonators.