Physical properties of lead-free BaFe1/2Nb1/2O3 ceramics obtained from mechanochemically synthesized powders

Modern electronics expect functional materials that are eco-friendly and are obtained with lower energy consumption technological processes. The multiferroic lead-free BaFe1/2Nb1/2O3 (BFN) ceramic powder has been prepared by mechanochemical synthesis from simple oxides at room temperature. The development of the synthesis has been monitored by XRD and SEM investigations, after different milling periods. The obtained powders contain large agglomerates built by crystals with an estimated size about 12-20 nm depending on the period of milling. From this powder, the multiferroic BFN ceramic samples have been prepared by uniaxial pressing and subsequent sintering pressureless method. The morphology of the BFN ceramic samples strongly depends on high-energy milling duration. The properties of the ceramic samples have been investigated by dielectric spectroscopy, in broad temperature and frequency ranges. The high-energy milling of the powders has strongly affected the dielectric permittivity and dielectric loss of the BaFe1/2Nb1/2O3 ceramic samples. The usage of the mechanochemical synthesis to obtain the multiferroic lead-free BFN materials reduces the required thermal treatment and simultaneously improves the parameters of the BFN ceramics.