Er3+ and Er3+/Yb3+ Ions Embedded in Nano-Structure BaTi0.9Sn0.1O3: Structure, Morphology and Dielectric Properties

Abstract

Barium titanate tin oxides BaTi0.9Sn0.1O3 referred to as (BTSO) doped with 0.5Er3+ and co-doped with (0.75 and 1) Yb3+ ions, were prepared using a modified sol-gel method and calcinated at 1050˚C in the air for 4 h. The influence of the selected rare earth element on the structure morphology, dielectric properties behavior was investigated. From TEM micrographs, it has appeared that the particles have a spherical shape with a small size in nanoscale. The average particle size is determined both by TEM and XRD diffraction was found to be in agreement and within the range between 45.9 and 57.7 nm. The effects of Lanthanide incorporation on the evolution of these nano-crystalline structures were followed by XRD and (FTIR). The XRD patterns give rise to a single perovskite phase, while the tetragonality was found to decrease gradually with Er3+ and Er3+/Yb3+ ions, respectively. FTIR results showed enhancement of the crystallinity and the absence of carbonates upon increasing Yb3+ ions concentration from 0.75 up to 1 mol%. The dielectric and conductivity properties were found to be enhanced by the nature and the concentration of the lanthanide element (Er3+, Yb3+) in the BTSO host lattice. The Curie temperature (Tc) shifted to a lower value from 117 for BTSO: 0.5Er to 93 for BTSO: 0.5Er/1Yb and the permittivity ε’ increased from 3972 to 6071, so BTSO: 0.5Er/1Yb good crystalline material candidate for capacitors application due to its higher permittivity.