Effects of Nb5+ doping on sintering and electrical properties of lead-free (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 ceramics

The Nb5+ doped (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 (BNT) ceramics were manufactured by a conventional solid state reaction method. The influence of Nb5+ 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 Nb5+ in the BNT lattice is less than 3%. Additionally, Nb5+ 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 Nb5+. 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.