Synthesis and Characterization of BaTiO3 Doped with Eu3+ by the Reaction Solid-State Method

Barium Titanate (BaTiO3) doped with Eu3+ was synthesized by the solid-state reaction method. The milling of BaCO3, TiO2 and Eu2O3 was carried out in an agate mortar with acetone as a control medium for 25 min and compositions of x = 0.001, 0.007, 0.05 and 0.1% by weight of Eu3+. The precursor powders TiO2, BaCO3 and Eu2O3 were mixed and calcined at 800 ℃ for 8 h and sintered at 1200 ℃ for 5 h. X-ray diffraction results revealed the predominant ferroelectric tetragonal BaTiO3 phase for low compositions, and secondary phases (Eu2TiO5) for mixtures with high concentrations of Eu3+. The X-ray mapping images showed a uniform distribution of Ti, Ba and Eu in the samples. The incorporation of Eu3+ ions into the BaTiO3 system could greatly manifest dielectric properties and can find immense scope in electronic elements including ceramic capacitors.