Approaches For A Reliable Compositional Analysis Of Alkaline-Based Lead-Free Perovskite Ceramics Using Microanalytical Methods

The article describes the approaches for a reliable, quantitative compositional analysis of lead-free perovskite ceramics in powder and bulk forms that contain volatile alkaline compounds. The combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microcopy (TEM) with electron-probe analytical techniques, such as energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), wavelength-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDS) and electron-energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) makes it possible to determine the true chemical composition, from precursor powders to synthesized ceramics or single crystals. The microscale (SEM) and nanoscale (TEM) analytical methods also give an insight into the local variations of the chemical composition.