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Ferroelectric Sr1−xBaxBi2(Nb0.5Ta0.5)2O9 and Sr0.5Ba0.5Bi2(Nb1−yTay)2O9 were synthesized by solid state reaction route. X-ray diffraction studies confirm the formation of single phase layered perovskite solid solutions over a wide range of compositions (x=y=0.0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1). The lattice parameters and the Curie temperature (Tc) have been found to have linear dependence on x and y. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) suggest the lowering of orthorhombic distortion with increasing Ba2+ substitution. Variations in microstructural features as a function of x and y were monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The dielectric constant at room temperature increases with increase in both x and y. Interestingly Ba2+ substitution on Sr2+ site induces diffused phase transition and diffuseness increases with increasing Ba2+ concentration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Glasses of various compositions in the system (100 - x )Li 2 B 4 O 7 - x (SrO-Bi 2 O 3 -Nb 2 O 5 ) (10 ≤ x ≤ 60) (in molar ratio) were prepared via a conventional melt-quenching technique. The glassy nature of the as-quenched samples was established by Differential Thermal Analyses (DTA). X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopic (TEM) studies confirmed the amorphous nature of the as quenched and crystallinity in the heat-treated samples. The formation of nanocrystalline layered perovskite SrBi 2 Nb 2 O 9 (SBN) phase, in the samples heat-treated at temperatures higher than 550°C, through an intermediate fluorite phase in the LBO glass matrix was confirmed by both the XRD and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). The samples that were heat-treated at two different temperatures, 550 and 625°C, (containing 0.35 and 0.47 μm sized SBN crystallites) exhibited broad dielectric anomalies in the vicinity of ferroelectric to paraelectric transition temperature of the parent SBN ceramics. A downward shift in the phase transition temperature was observed with decreasing crystallite size of SBN. The observation of pyroelectric and ferroelectric properties for the present samples confirmed their polar nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]