Effects of Nb~(5+) doping on sintering and electrical properties of lead-free (Bi_(0.5)Na_(0.5))TiO_3 ceramics

摘要

The Nb~(5+) doped (Bi_(0.5)Na_(0.5))TiO_3 (BNT) ceramics were manufactured by a conventional solid state reaction method. The influence of Nb~(5+) doping on the sintering, microstructure and various electrical properties of BNT ceramics was investigated. The results of X-ray diffraction show that the solubility limit of Nb~(5+) in the BNT lattice is less than 3%. Additionally, Nb~(5+) doping produces significant effects on the densification and grain growth of BNT ceramics. Various electrical properties of BNT ceramics are obviously changed with doping a small amount of Nb~(5+). The ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties display enhanced values at a low doping level. The formation of A-site vacancies is considered as the reason for the changed ferroelectric and electromechanical behavior.