Abstract
Dense single-phase BiFe O3 (BFO) ferroelectric ceramics, with a resistivity of ∼ 1012 cm, may be formed by sintering the 450 °C -calcined coprecipitated powder at 800-850 °C. The ceramics sintered at 750 °C contain a second phase of Bi2 O3. The conduction loss activation energies at room temperatures of -290 and 350-430 °C are 0.126 and 1.26 eV, respectively. The ac conductivity thermal variation suggests ∼290 °C as the application limit for BFO ceramics. The loss at T<350 °C is higher for low frequencies than for high frequencies. In contrast, an opposite effect is found at T>350 °C. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.