Characterization of Barium Titanate Ceramic Powders by Raman Spectroscopy

Barium titanate, $BaTiO_3$ ceramic powders were prepared by mechanochemical synthesis and by the Pechini method. A powder mixture of BaO and $TiO_2$ was treated in a planetary ball mill in an air atmosphere for up to 1 h, using zirconium oxide vial and zirconium oxide balls as the milling medium. After 60 min $BaTiO_3$ phase was formed. In both ways $BaTiO_3$ ceramics were sintered after 2 h on 1300°C without pre-calcinations step. The heating rate was 10°C $\text{min}^{-1}$. The formation of phase and crystal structure of $BaTiO_3$ was approved by X-ray diffraction analysis and the Raman spectroscopy. The morphology and microstructure of obtained powders were examined by scanning electron microscopy method. Sharp phase transition from ferroelectric to paraelectric state was observed. The hysteresis loop is very well performed with regular sharp characteristic of ferroelectric materials.