Microstructure and electrical properties of SrBi₂Ta ₂O₉ ceramics processed by templated grain growth

Single-phase SrBi₂Ta₂O₉ (SBT) ceramics were fabricated by Templated Grain Growth, using plate-like anisotropic SBT single crystals with a dominant (001)-orientation of a major face. Template particles, of the size of ∼ 50 x 50 x 5 μm³ were previously obtained by self-flux solution method, and then embedded in a fine-grained matrix with a 3 wt% of Bi₂O₃ excess using a uniaxial pressing technique. The system was then treated at temperatures between 1150 and 1250°C during 2 and 24 h. Microstructural and XRD characterization was performed to evaluate the grain morphology and degree of texture of the sintered ceramics and its dependence on the sintering conditions. The studied dielectric properties revealed the influence of the texture degree on the electric properties of the obtained SBT ceramics.