Diffuse Phase Transition and Pyroelectric Behavior of Cerium Doped Ba(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O-3

Abstract

Surface morphology, dielectric and pyroelectric properties of cerium (Ce) doped Ba(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O-3 ceramics processed by solid state reaction are reported here. Surface morphology and microstructures of the dielectric ceramics were examined by atomic force microscope. Dielectric properties of these ceramics with two different concentrations were investigated as a function of temperature. The dielectric constant as a function of temperature exhibited diffuse phase transition behavior accompanied with higher value of dielectric constant for Ce-doped ceramics. The dielectric constant decreases with increasing concentration of Ce from 0.0 to 0.1, while it increased with further increase in Ce concentration from 0.1 to 0.2. The pyroelectric current measured as a function of temperature revealed an existence of both primary effect at lower temperatures whereas secondary effect at higher temperatures. The influence of Ce concentration on grain size plays an important role in maintaining the dielectric constant, which are suitable for tunable dielectric device applications.