Effect of silver on the sintering and grain-growth behavior of barium titanate

Silver and its alloys frequently are used as electrode material for BaTiO3-based dielectrics. In the present study, a small amount of fine silver particles have been intimately mixed with BaTiO3 powder. The sintering and grain-growth behavior of the silver-doped BaTiO3 in air are investigated. The solubility of silver in BaTiO3, as revealed by lattice-parameter measurement, electrical measurement, and electron probe microanalysis, is <300 ppm. The densification of BaTiO3 is slowed slightly by the addition of silver inclusions, However, the presence of a small amount (< 0.3 wt%) of silver increases the amount and size of abnormal grains. When the silver content is >0.3 wt%, the grain growth of BaTiO3 then is prohibited by the silver inclusions.