Electromechanical properties and dielectric behavior of (Bi1/2Na1/2)(1-1.5x)BixTiO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

Bismuth doped bismuth sodium titanate ceramics [(Bi1/2Na1/2)((1 - 1.5x))BixTiO3, x = 0 to 0.06] were prepared, and the resulting effects on the microstructure and dielectric properties were examined. All of the Bi-doped ceramics exhibited a single phase of perovskite structure with rhombohedral symmetry. The poling leakage current was significantly reduced by the doping of Bi, facilitating the poling process of the ceramics. The doping with Bi enhances the piezoelectric properties and increases the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss of the ceramics. At 2 mol% Bi-doping level, the ceramics exhibit a large remanent polarization of 47 muC/cm(2) and a relatively low coercive field of 71 kV/cm, while their d(33) and k(p) reach a maximum value of 95 pC/N and 21%, respectively. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.