Effect of Ba addition on the structural, dielectric and ferroelectric properties of Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ ceramics

Lead-free (Na_0.5Bi_0.5)_1-xBa_xTiO₃ (x = 0, 0.04 and 0.06) ceramics were fabricated by conventional solid phase sintering process. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that obtained specimens possess the perovskite structure. The microstructure study shows a dense structure, in good agreement with the relative density determined by the Archimedes method (above 95 %). Electric permittivity anomaly is shifted to low temperature after Ba doping of NBT. The pyroelectric and hysteresis loops measurements show that polarization and coercive field increases and decreases, respectively, after Ba doping of NBT. The obtained results are discussed in terms of ions/lattice imperfections, which create local electromechanical fields. The investigated ceramics are considered to be promising candidates for lead-free electronic materials.