Phase transition sequence in ferroelectric Aurivillius compounds investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction

• Published in: Solid state sciences 2012-09, Vol.14 (9), p.1367-1371
• Main Authors: Boullay, P., Tellier, J., Mercurio, D., Manier, M., Zuñiga, F.J., Perez-Mato, J.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bismuth oxides; Chemical Sciences; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Crystalline state (including molecular motions in solids); Crystallographic aspects of phase transformations; pressure effects; Dielectric, piezoelectric, ferroelectric and antiferroelectric materials; Dielectrics, piezoelectrics, and ferroelectrics and their properties; Exact sciences and technology; Ferroelectricity and antiferroelectricity; Ferroelectrics; Material chemistry; Phase transition; Phase transitions and curie point; Physics; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; X-ray diffraction
• ISSN: 1293-2558; 1873-3085
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2012.07.014

The investigation of the phase transition sequence in SrBi2Ta2O9 (SBT) and SrBi2Nb2O9 (SBN) is reported using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. By monitoring specific reflections as a function of temperature, sensitive either to the superstructure formation or to polar displacements, it was possible to check the existence or not of an intermediate phase. This latter was confirmed in SBT, but within experimental accuracy could not be detected in SBN. [Display omitted]