Structure, dielectric, piezo/ferroelectric, and energy storage properties of lead-free Na0.5 Bi0.5 TiO3- based ceramics

Abstract

Ferroelectric materials are widely used in electrical/electronic applications due to their advantageous and versatile functionalities. They are mainly utilized in actuators, sonar devices, sensors, phonograph pickups, ultrasonic transducers strain gauges, microphones, accelerometer, fuel jet valves, controller of oscillator frequencies in communication equipment, transducers in ultrasonic devices, sonic delay lines, etc., [1-5]. In 1944, the inorganic compound BaTiO3 (first perovskite ferroelectric ceramic) was discovered. The ferroelectric materials have been the heart and soul of several multibillion-dollar industries [6, 7]. For a long time, the most commercialized material for piezo/ferroelectric applications throughout the world is PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (PZT) [8-10]. Although it has excellent piezo/ferroelectric properties, PZT contains about 60 wt. % of PbO, which is a toxic element that affects human health and the environment. Hence, some countries have decided to ban Pb-based compounds, and as a result, legislation was made by the European Commission in 2008 [6]. Despite excellent results obtained in leadbasedmaterials, lead-free alternatives are more prevalent due to environmental and human health concerns. Therefore, the demands for environment-friendly materials in the electronics industry have propelled a wide range of studies on lead-free ferroelectric ceramics to replace PZT ceramics. Therefore, the studies on lead-free ferroelectric materials have grown exponentially in the fields of condensed matter physics and materials science in the current era.