Effect of the sintering temperature on the phase transition behavior and electrical properties of (Ba0.8Sr0.2)TiO3 ceramics

(Ba0.8Sr0.2)TiO3 ceramics was prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction method. The phase transition behavior, microstructure and electrical properties of (Ba0.8Sr0.2)TiO3 ceramics with different sintering temperatures are investigated. With the sintering temperature decreasing, the phase transition of ferroelectric phase to paraelectric phase becomes more and more diffuse. The effect of the sintering temperature on grain size and relative density of (Ba0.8Sr0.2)TiO3 ceramics has been studied. The grain size and density increases with the increase of sintering temperature, the densest (Ba0.8Sr0.2)TiO3 ceramics sintered at 1350 °C (BST-1350) has the largest grain size (about 15 μm). BST-1350 exhibits the most excellent electrical performance. The outstanding dielectric and ferroelectric properties are obtained in BST-1350, which may be induced by the well crystallization, better teragonality and a larger grain size. Meanwhile, the lowest leakage current (about 10−7 A/cm2) is also obtained in this sample.