Evaluating the significance of rare earth and iron doping on structure-property of lead titanate

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2024-11, Vol.1005, p.176098, Article 176098
• Main Authors: Nayak, Amrita, Patri, S.K., Behera, B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ceramic; Dielectric; Ferroelectrics; Grain size; Semiconducting behaviour; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 0925-8388
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.176098

The samples (Pb0.8Ln0.2 Fe0.2 Ti0.8O3, (Ln= La, Nd, Sm, Gd)) were synthesized successfully by mixed oxide method. A significant reduction in tetragonality is observed with the modification of structure. The grain size from FESEM study was observed to be decreasing with increase in ionic radii of rare earth ions. Specifically, the dielectric constant is found to be maximum for the Sm-doped sample. Conductivity studies at varying temperature and frequencies reveal the NTCR behaviour of these samples. In Sm, Nd and Gd doped samples, tunnelling of small polarons is responsible for conduction process whereas for La doped sample, the conduction process is mediated through the combined effect of small polaron tunnelling and bipolaron hopping. The Sm-doped sample exhibits highest remanent polarization. All the results of this comprehensive study provide valuable insights into the effect of dopant ions on various properties of the studied materials, paving the way for device applications. •XRD results imply that the rare earth and iron dopants have been thoroughly incorporated within the lead titanate matrix.•The average grain size decreases with an increase in ionic radii of the rare earth dopants which act as the growth inhibitors.•The electron conduction rises with temperature and electric field for vacancies and acceptor characteristics of Fe3+ doping at the B-site.•Well saturated hysteresis loops were obtained for Sm and Nd doped samples.