Preparation of nanocrystalline ferroelectric BaBi4Ti4O15 by Pechini method

A gel was formed when an aqueous solution of BaCl2, BiNO3, TiOCl2 and citric acid in stoichiometric ratio is heated on a water bath. This gel on decomposition at 600 °C produced the nano crystallites of ternary oxide, BaBi4Ti4O15 (BBT). The phase contents and lattice parameters were studied by the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Particle size and morphology was studied by transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM). The room temperature dielectric constant at 1 kHz is 90. The ferroelectric hysteresis loop parameters of these samples were also studied by a home built Sawyer-tower circuit.