Complex dielectric function and opto-electronic characterization using VEELS for the lead-free BCZT electro-ceramic perovskite

•Low energy loss spectroscopy was performed for the Ba0.8Ca0.2Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 (BCZT).•Complex dielectric function was obtained using Kramers–Kronig analysis.•Inter-band transitions were identified in the joint density of states function.•The refraction index as a function of energy was obtained for BCZT.•A bandgap energy of 3.2 eV was determined in the optical absorption plot. The current work presents the complex dielectric function and the opto-electronic properties of lead-free Ba0.8Ca0.2Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 (BCZT) electro-ceramic, derived from valence electron energy loss spectroscopy, in transmission electron microscopy (VEELS–TEM). A single tetragonal perovskite phase, with P4mm space group, was determined by Rietveld refinement of the x-ray diffraction pattern. The VEELS–TEM experiment scanned the energy interval from 0–50 eV. The spectroscopic analysis started with the chemical identification of the atoms that conforms the BCZT solid-solution. Bulk and surface plasmons were located at 27.2 eV and 12.9 eV, respectively in the energy loss function. Complex dielectric function was obtained using Kramers–Kronig analysis from the Gatan Microscopy Suite software. Dielectric constant was calculated from the real part of the complex dielectric function, while the inter-band transitions were identified in the joint density of states function. The refraction index n and the extinction coefficient k, as a function of energy, were obtained from the complex dielectric function. The bandgap energy was determined using a polynomial fit in the optical absorption coefficient plot with an Eg = 3.2 eV.