Comparative analysis of Ba2+ doping effects on structural, dielectric, and energy storage characteristics of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 and Na0.25Bi0.25Ba0.5TiO3 perovskites synthesized via the molten-salt method
摘要
Perovskite samples of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NBT) and Na0.25Bi0.25Ba0.5TiO3 (NBBT) were synthesized using the molten-salt method. The structural, morphological, and electrical properties of these materials were analyzed. Both samples exhibited a single-phase rhombohedral crystal structure with space group R3c. Rietveld refinement confirmed an increase in unit cell volume upon Ba doping, attributed to the larger ionic radius of Ba2⁺ compared to Na⁺ and Bi3⁺. FTIR spectra showed shifts in the Ti–O bond vibrations, indicating elongation of the bond in NBBT. SEM analysis revealed plate-like, anisotropic grains with reduced grain size following Ba substitution. Both NBT and NBBT samples exhibit ferroelectric behavior, which is primarily influenced by the overall structural distortion, particularly the tilting of the TiO₆ octahedra and A-site cation shifting. NBBT exhibited more pronounced relaxor ferroelectric behavior than NBT since the Ba2⁺ doping led to significant compositional disorder, disrupting long-range ferroelectric order and enhancing relaxor behavior. As a result, NBBT exhibits better energy storage performance, with a recoverable energy storage density (Wrec) of 21.56 mJ/cm3 and an energy efficiency (η) of 94.21% at a low electrical field of 35 kV/cm. These results highlight the crucial role of structural distortions and compositional disorder in driving the enhanced relaxor ferroelectric behavior in NBBT, positioning it as a promising candidate for energy storage applications.