Effects of 0.03MF2 – 0.12LiF (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) on the Sintering and Dielectric Properties of SrTiO3 Ceramics

Abstract

Cold-pressed pellets were prepared from the mixtures SrTiO3- 0.03MF2- 0.12LiF, M = Ca, Sr or Ba, then air-fired at 950 °C for 2 hours. The obtained samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Each ceramic is a perovskite single phase and the relative density reaches 95% for all ceramics. The addition of 3 mol. % of the eutectic composition 1MF2- 4LiF (Tm~ 760 °C) to SrTiO3lowers the sintering temperature of pure strontium titanate from 1400 °C to 950 °C and induces a strong modification in the SrTiO3cubic phase: superlattice reflections are detected and the unit cell symmetry becomes orthorhombic. Dielectric measurements were performed between - 150 °C and 200 °C in the frequency range 20 Hz - 109Hz. The dielectric permittivity εrshowed no maximum in the temperature range investigated and is almost frequency independent. At room temperature, the dielectric losses tanδ are less than 0.1 %. Moreover, the frequency dependence of the complex permittivity exhibits a resonance in the microwave region. These fluorinated ceramics could be of interest in piezoelectric devices and are promising dielectrics for class I capacitors manufactured at low temperature.