X-ray diffraction data analysis of solid solution BaTi1-xSnxO3 by size-strain and Williamson-Hall plot methods

Abstract

Barium titanate is classified as one of the most famous ferroelectric materials, and the most used in many scientific and technical applications, because of its unique properties, the possibility of modifying these properties and controlling them by doping, and the methods used in the preparation. The research aims to use X-ray diffraction technology (XRD) to study the effect of the addition of Tin on the structural and microscopic properties of barium titanate. Samples of solid solution BaTi_1-xSn_xO₃ were prepared by a solid-state Reaction Method (SSR) at a calcination temperature of 1150°C and for two hours. XRD patterns showed the formation of the perovskite structure of all samples, and the transition of the structure from tetragonal to cubic crystal system at the ratio x=0.1. X-ray peak broadening analysis was used to evaluate the crystalline sizes and lattice strain by the Williamson-Hall and size-strain plot methods. These methods showed inconsistent results, but agreed that the smallest crystalline size was found at the ratio 0.05, and this ratio was found to correspond to the highest value of dislocation density. The size-and-strain scheme method showed increased agitation in the crystal structure with increasing tin ratios.