Dense Bi3Fe0.5Nb1.5O9 ceramics prepared by spark plasma sintering

Abstract Bi 3 Fe 0.5 Nb 1.5 O 9 ceramics have attracted much attention due to its interesting dielectric and magnetic properties. However, the Bi 3 Fe 0.5 Nb 1.5 O 9 ceramics prepared by the conventional solid state reaction method have a maximum density of about 60% of the theoretical density. Decomposition at temperatures higher than 850 °C precluded the preparation of a more highly dense sample. In the present research, dense ferroelectric Bi 3 Fe 0.5 Nb 1.5 O 9 ceramics with a density of more than 97% of the theoretical one were prepared by spark plasma sintering. XRD data shows that Bi 3 Fe 0.5 Nb 1.5 O 9 has an orthorhombic Aurivillius-type structure.