Electrical properties of (1-x)(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-xBaTiO3 synthesized by emulsion method

(1 - x)(Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-xBaTiO(3) (x = 0-0.10)((1 - x)BNT-xBT) powders were synthesized by a emulsion method, and the electrical properties of the resulting ceramics were investigated. The results confirm the emulsion method as a viable and advantageous route in producing (I - x)BNT-xBT ceramics. The powders consisting of uniform and fine preliminary particles of about 50 nm were synthesized by calcining at 700 degrees C for 3 h. The ceramics sintered at 1200 degrees C for 3 h show a rhombohedral-tetragonal morphotrophc phase boundary (MPB) near x = 0.06. The ceramics provide superior dielectric and piezoelectric properties close to the phase boundary. The dielectric constant at 1 kHz and piezoelectric constant d(33) attain the maximum values of 1840 and 174 pC/N, respectively, at x = 0.08, while the electromechanical coupling factor k(p) exhibits the maximum value of 0.28 at x = 0.06. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.