The effect of Nd substitution on the electrical properties of Bi 3 NbTiO9 Aurivillius phase ceramics

Abstract

The effect of Nd substitution on the microstructures and electrical properties of Aurivillius phase ferroelectric Bi3 NbTiO9 -based ceramics has been studied. All of the Bi3-x Ndx NbTiO9 (0≤x≤1) ceramics are ferroelectrics. The Curie point TC decreased with increasing Nd doping content x. The Bi 3-x Ndx NbTiO9 ceramics exhibited a sharp ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition at small x values (x≤0.6), whereas a diffuse phase transition was observed at higher x values (x≥0.8). Both the piezoelectric constant d33 and the dc electrical resistivity of Bi3 NbTiO9 ceramics were greatly enhanced by Nd substitution on the A sites. The improved properties can be attributed to the fact that Nd substitution depressed the generation of oxygen vacancies. A combination of high d33 values, high resistivity, and high T C points (>700 °C) suggests that the Bi3-x Nd x NbTiO9 ceramics with x≤0.6 could be good candidates for high-temperature piezoelectric applications. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.