Impact of Li-substitution on dielectric, structural and sintering behavior of Lix(Sr0.5Ba0.5)1-x/2Nb2O6 ceramics

Lix(Sr0.5Ba0.5)1-x/2Nb2O6 ceramics were prepared by a solid state synthesis and sintered at 1300 ◦C. XRD investigations
reveal single phase samples up to a substitution limit of x = 0.275. For higher lithium contents, the
appearance of LiNbO3 as secondary phase was observed. The density of the ceramics increases with lithium
content. The microstructures show globular grains which turns to pillar-like grains with rising lithium substitution.
Dielectric investigations confirm relaxor ferroelectric behavior and the diffuse phase transition is shifted
towards higher temperatures with increasing lithium content from 129 ◦C (x = 0) to 221 ◦C (x = 0.275). The
diffuseness coefficient increases with the lithium content. From high-temperature XRD measurements the length
of the tetragonal cell parameter c decreases with increasing temperature, reaches a minimum at about 150 - 230
◦C (depending on x) and afterward increases with increasing temperature. Additionally, a significant shift of the
Nb(2) position with temperature can be observed.