Multifuncional translucent ferroelectric Ba1-xCaxTiO3 ceramics produced by laser sintering

Multifunctional transparent ferroelectric ceramics can be used in a wide range of applications, such as optical modulation and image memory devices, optical shutters, switchers, etc. Frequently, electro-optical ceramics are lead-based and have the disadvantages of being harmful to the environment. For this reason, continuous effort has been done in the research for lead-free optical transparent ferroelectric ceramics. In this work, we have successfully sintered bulk lead-free translucent and nanostructured Ba1-xCaxTiO3 (X = 0-0.30) ceramics by the laser sintering technique. In this technique, a CO2 laser is used as the main heating source for sintering. The laser-sintered ceramics presented high relative density, suitable ferro- and dielectric properties, transmittance up to 42% at 950 nm for Ba0.70Ca0.30TiO3 sample and average grain size changing from 420 nm to 600 nm when the Ca concentration increases. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.