Synthesis, characterization and properties of nano-sized SrBi2Ta2O9 ceramics prepared by chemical routes

Nano-crystalline Strontium Bismuth Tantalate (SBT) has been synthesized by four different chemical based solution methods using metal salts, EDTA, triethanolamine, poly-vinyl alcohol, sugar and ammonium tartarate. The particle size of the synthesized powder was found to be in the range of 15–85 nm, depending on the nature of the precursor solution. The method using tartarate, triethanolamine and EDTA as complexing agents gave the smallest particle size of 15 nm. Bi-evaporation has been prevented totally through efficient low temperature sintering and more than 97% sintered density has been achieved after sintering at 950 °C for 4 h, the product exhibited a dielectric constant of 1387.