Electrical properties of SrBi2Ta2O9 single crystals grown by self-flux solution

High-quality SrBi2Ta2O9 single crystals were grown by a self-flux solution method using Bi2O3 added with B2O3 flux. Chemical composition corresponded to the formula SrxBiyTa2O9 where x=1.03±0.05 and y=1.87±0.08. Transparent SBT crystals obtained by slow cooling (2 °C/h) of the melt from 1350 °C to 1100 °C, exhibit platelet morphology with typical sizes of 5×3×0.05 mm3 dimensions with a dominant (001) orientation of a major face. Ferroelectric hysteresis and dielectric properties are measured perpendicularly to the major face of the crystals. Anisotropy, crystalline orientation, growth mechanism, and their influence on electrical properties are discussed.