Optimization of the K/Na ratio in lead-free Bi0.5(Na1-xKx)0.5TiO3 ceramics utilizing TiO2 nanostructures
摘要
In this study, a sulfuric acid-assisted ultrasonic approach was employed to synthesize TiO2 nanomaterials. The synthesized TiO2 nanostructures exhibited a pure anatase phase with particle sizes in the range of 10–30 nm obtained at a calcination temperature of 500 °C. These nanomaterials were subsequently utilized for the synthesis of lead-free Bi0.5(Na1−xKx)0.5TiO3 (BNKTn, x = 0.15, 0.20, 0.25, 0.30, and 0.35) ceramics. The effect of the K/Na ratio on the structural characteristics, microstructural evolution, morphological features, and electrical properties of BNKTn ceramics were systematically studied. In terms of the K/Na ratio range, the ceramics exhibited densely packed grains with a high relative density of 98.2 ± 0.05% (corresponding to 5.87 ± 0.02 g/cm3), along with a shrinkage ratio of 14.71 ± 0.03%. With a sintering temperature of 1100 °C and a K/Na ratio of 0.25/0.75, the BNKTn ceramics achieved high electromechanical coupling coefficients (kp = 0.35 and kt = 0.39), a large piezoelectric coefficient (d33 = 155 pC/N), and an enhanced dielectric constant (εr = 1191, εmax = 4335). Additionally, a high mechanical quality factor (Qm = 145) and a low dielectric loss (tanδ = 0.051) were obtained. The recoverable energy density (Wrec) and energy conversion efficiency (η) increased almost linearly with increasing x content, reaching maximum values of 0.78 J/cm3 and 59.2%, respectively, at x = 0.35. Concurrently, the remanent polarization (Pr) decreased from 16.1 µC/cm2 at x = 0.15 to 9.2 µC/cm2 at x = 0.35.