Structural, impedance, and transport properties of Pb-free ceramics: (x)K0.5Bi0.5TiO3–(1 − x)NaTaO3 (x = 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1) for electronic applications
摘要
Using the conventional (cost-effective) solid-state reaction method, we synthesized an innovative lead-free polycrystalline ferroelectric-type ceramic with composition (x) K₀.₅Bi₀.₅TiO₃–(1 − x)NaTaO₃ (x = 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1). The structural (XRD), microstructural, dielectric, and impedance properties were investigated. ‘Rietveld-refined’ X-ray diffraction study revealed that the ceramic composite, upon diffusion of K0.5Bi0.5TiO3 into NaTaO₃, exhibits a perovskite-type orthorhombic crystal structure with space group Pmc21. SEM analysis reveals a homogeneous surface morphology characterized by distinct grains with sizes between 0.25 and 0.8 μm. Dielectric and complex impedance analysis conducted across an extensive frequency domain (0.1 kHz–1 MHz) and temperature interval (25–500 °C) reveals that the AC electrical conductivity spectrum follows Jonscher’s power law. DC conductivity shows a temperature-dependent behavior, where resistance decreases with increasing temperature, consistent with semiconducting characteristics. Analysis of DC conductivity reveals that the conduction (transport) mechanism is significantly affected by the presence of oxygen vacancies. The obtained impedance and transport properties of (x)K₀.₅Bi₀.₅TiO₃–(1 − x)NaTaO₃ (x = 0.025, 0.05, 0.075, and 0.1) composite prove its worth toward electronic applications.