Investigations on structural, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties of Bi_4-xNd_xTi₃O₁₂ (x = 0.00, 0.85) ceramics

In this manuscript, ceramics of Bi_4-xNd_xTi₃O₁₂ (x = 0.00, 0.85) were synthesized using solid state reaction method. This research focuses on examining the impact of the substitution of Neodymium (Nd³⁺) ions on various properties including structural, morphological, dielectric, and ferroelectric. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals the formation of a single phase of bismuth-layered perovskite structure having an orthorhombic unit cell. The structural parameters calculated using Rietveld analysis and Williamson Hall plot confirm the decrease in orthorhombicity (δ = 2(a-b)/a + b) and enhancement in the strain of the doped sample. The suppression in the intensity of Raman modes at 117, 225, 267, and 238 cm⁻¹ confirms the substitution of Nd³⁺ ions. The morphological structure revealed the peculiar plate like structure for both the samples. The frequency dependent (100 Hz-1 MHz) dielectric studies confirm the enhancement in the dielectric constant with substitution. The structural distortions caused by Nd³⁺ substitution lead to a drop in the Curie Transition temperature (T_c). The ferroelectric property (remnant polarization) was found to increase with Nd³⁺ substitution. The detailed investigation of the samples would be helpful for use of these materials for possible applications in data storage and energy harvesting applications.