Structural, electrical and dielectric properties of Bi1.5Zn0.92Nb1.5-xTaxO6.92 pyrochlore ceramics

The micro-structural, compositional, temperature dependent dielectric and electrical properties of the Bi1.5Zn0.92Nb1.5-xTaxO6.92 solid solution has been investigated. The increasing Ta content from 0.2 to 1.5 caused; single phase formation, a pronounced grain size reduction from similar to 7.0 to 2.5 mu m, sharp decrease in the dielectric constant from 198 to 88 and an increase in the electrical conductivity from 3.16 x 10(-10) to 5.0 x 10(-9) (Omega cm)(-1), respectively. The temperature dependent dielectric constant which is found to be frequency invariant in the frequency range of (0.0-2.0 MHz) exhibited a sharp change in the temperature coefficient of dielectric constant at a (doping independent) critical temperature of 395 K. The analysis of the measured data reflects a promising future for this type of pyrochlore to be used in high voltage passive device applications. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.