Structural determination, dielectric and photoluminescence properties of Ba0.975Ln0.017(Ti0.95-xZrxSn0.05)O3 (Ln = Eu, Ho; x= 0.05, 0.20)

Abstract Lead-free compounds with formula Ba0.975Ln0.017(Ti0.90Zr0.05Sn0.05)O3 (BLnZ5TS) and Ba0.975Ln0.017(Ti0.75Zr0.20Sn0.05)O3 (BLnZ20TS) [Ln = Eu, Ho] were synthesized using the solid-state reaction technique. Scanning electron micrographs of ceramics showed a decrease in the average grain size as the Ln3+ radii increases. The structural study allowed the identification of tetragonal and cubic symmetries at room temperature for BLnZ5TS and BLnZ20TS, respectively. Dielectric measurements were carried out as a function of temperature and frequency. The results revealed that BLnZ5TS exhibited normal ferroelectric behavior with diffuse phase transition, whereas BLnZ20TS displayed relaxor ferroelectric properties. The diffuse phase transition parameters were determined from the modified Curie–Weiss law, while the relaxor behavior in BLnZ20TS was highlighted by a good fit to the Vogel–Fulcher relationship. The photoluminescence of the prepared specimens was investigated and the results showed that these compositions bear interest for green and red emission.