Comprehensive analysis of structural, dielectric, and electrical properties of sol–gel synthesized Ba-doped bismuth ferric titanate perovskite nanoparticles

Abstract

This research aims to develop a perovskite ceramic with optimized electrical and dielectric properties for applications in energy storage, medical technologies, and electronic devices. A bismuth ferric titanate compound, Bi_0.9Ba_0.1Fe_0.8Ti_0.2O_₃, doped with barium at the A-site, was successfully synthesized using the sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction at room temperature confirmed a rhombohedral structure within the R3́C space group. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) revealed an average grain size of 273 nm with uniform grain distribution and chemical composition. The study identified a clear correlation between temperature, frequency, and the material’s electrical characteristics. Impedance spectroscopy and electrical modulus analysis, conducted over a frequency range of 1 kHz to 1 MHz and temperatures between 260 and 340 K, indicated non-Debye relaxation behavior. Additionally, the material’s frequency-dependent electrical conductivity, analyzed through Jonscher’s law at various temperatures, showed that barium doping significantly enhanced conductivity and dielectric properties compared to undoped BiFeTiO₃. Consistent conduction and relaxation mechanisms were observed across the entire temperature range, highlighting the material's potential for use in capacitors and electric fields over a wide range of conditions.