Structural, microstructural abd ferroelectric properties of Ti-doped YMnO3 ceramics synthesized by polymerization complex method

Abstract

Yttrium manganite, YMnO3, is a multiferroic material, which exhibits ferroelectric and antiferromagnetic behavior. These properties make it suitable for various applications. Large microcracking and porosity in YMnO3 ceramics strongly affect the material’s ferroelectric response. In this work, the effect of Ti doping on structure, microstructure and ferroelectric properties of YMnO3 ceramics was investigated. The powders YMn1-xTixO3 (x = 0; 0.10; 0.15; 0.20) were prepared by polymerization complex (PC) method from citrate precursors, and calcined at 900 °C for 4 h. The ceramic samples YMnO3 (YMO) and YMn0.9Ti0.1O3 (YMTO10) were obtained after sintering at 1400 °C, YMn0.85Ti0.15O3 (YMTO15) – at 1450 C and YMn0.8Ti0.2O3 (YMTO20) – at 1470 °C, for 2 h. Structural properties and phase composition of sintered samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and their microstructure by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Ferroelectric characterization was carried out by measuring of P(E) hysteresis loops and leakage current density (jl). XRD patterns of all ceramic samples revealed single-phased hexagonal (P63cm) structure. It was observed that Ti-doped YMnO3 ceramic samples have reduced microcracking, inter- and intragranular porosity. Leakage current densities of the samples YMTO10 and YMTO20 were lower compared to that of sample YMO. YMTO20 showed higher electrical conductivity, but all samples indicated weak ferroelectric response.