Stabilization of the ferroelectric phase of potassium nitrate in composites containing metallic microparticles

In the paper, the temperature dependences of the differential thermal analysis signal, permittivity, and amplitude of the third harmonic of the (KNO3)1–х/Snx composites have been studied. It was shown that the temperature of the α → β phase transition decreased by 2 – 3 K in the potassium nitrates being parts of the composites, and the temperature of the γ → α phase transition decreased up to 360 K. This result can be explained within the framework of the Landau – Ginzburg theory, taking into account the shielding of potassium nitrate particles by tin metal particles.