Synchrotron XRD: Enlightening the processing-properties correlation in (Bi05Na05)0.96Ba0.04TiO3 (BNBT4) ceramics

High-resolution X-ray diffraction is applied to investigate macro and micro crystal structure changes across different synthesis routes in BNBT4 piezoceramics. Synthetic powders were obtained by conventional sol-gel auto combustion and mixed oxides methods; then samples were sintered by combining hot uniaxial pressing and subsequent recrystallization. The crystal structure of the ceramic obtained by sol-gel is rhombohedral (R3c) and the one obtained from mixed oxides is monoclinic (Cc). In the sol-gel case, a poling process produces an intense 001 texture parallel to the polarizing electric field. Poling the mixed oxides ceramics quickly transforms the structure from monoclinic to rhombohedral while texture and anisotropic micro-strains develop further as the poling increases. A correlation between detected structural transformations and variations in selected physical properties is suggested. The anisotropy of the critical temperatures for dielectric and electromechanical depolarization is lower for mixed oxides ceramics than for sol-gel ceramics. Changes in crystal structure, microstructure and properties of (Bi 0 . 5 Na 0 . 5 ) 0.96 Ba 0.04 TiO 3 (BNBT4) piezoceramics, as dependent on sample physico-chemical route, are explored via high-resolution synchrotron XRD. • Synchrotron XRD detects crystal structure subtleties induced by synthesis processes. • Poling the mixed oxides ceramic transforms crystals from monoclinic to rhombohedral. • Poling the sol-gel ceramic textures the crystal parallel to the polarizing electric field. • Sol-gel high texture - high dielectric and electromechanical thermal depolarization anisotropy . • Mixed oxides high micro-strain - high electromechanical thermal depolarization delay .