Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Properties of Na1−xBaxNb1−xTixO3 Ceramics

Piezoelectric ceramics Na_{1− x} Ba _x Nb_{1− x} Ti _x O₃ with low BaTiO₃ concentrations x have been prepared by the solid-state reaction method, and their ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties have been studied. The ceramics are classic ferroelectrics when x ≤0.10, and the ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition becomes diffusive when x ≥0.15. A low doping level of BaTiO₃ changes the NaNbO₃ ceramics from antiferroelectric to ferroelectric. With the increase in BaTiO₃ doping level, the Curie temperature of ceramics decreases linearly and the remnant polarization and coercive field also decrease, while their dielectric constant increases. Na_0.9Ba_0.1Nb_0.9Ti_0.1O₃ ceramics show the largest piezoelectric constant d ₃₃ (147 pC/N) and good sinterability, suggesting that it is a good candidate for lead-free piezoelectric ceramics.