Defect Control for Superior Properties in K<sub>0.5</sub>Na<sub>0.5</sub>NbO<sub>3</sub> Single Crystals

Abstract

Single crystals of K0.47Na0.53NbO3 (KNN) and Mn-substituted KNN (Mn-KNN, K0.53Na0.47Mn0.004Nb0.996Oy) were grown by a flux method, and the influence of lattice defects on the polarization and leakage current properties was investigated. As-grown KNN did not show an apparent polarization hysteresis loop due to its large leakage current (~10-3 A/cm2). The substitution of 0.4%-Mn at the Nb site and subsequent annealing under a moderate oxidative condition were effective in suppressing the leakage current of KNN crystals. 0.4%-Mn-KNN annealed at 1100°C in air exhibited a low leakage current (~10-8 A/cm2), a relatively large remanent polarization of 40 μC/cm2 and a coercive field of 12 kV/cm at 25°C. The oxidation of Mn and Nb ions during annealing in air is found to play an essential role in the low leakage current of Mn-KNN.