Effect of Mn (as an acceptor) on the structural and electrical properties of non-stoichiometry Sodium Bismuth Titanate/NBT ceramics

Abstract

The lead free Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NBT) ceramic is proven as a potential piezoelectric candidate; however, non-stoichiometry NBT serves as an outstanding oxide-ion conductor proposed by (M. Li et al., Nature Materials 13 (2014) 31–35). According to this point here we have systematically report the structural and electrical properties of non-stoichiometry Na0.5Bi0.49TiO3/NB0.49T and B-site Mn3+ acceptor-modified NB0.49T system. Therefore, we are trying to prepare the nominal formula of Na0.5Bi0.49Ti1-xMnxO3; NB0.49T ceramic with 0.0≤x ≤ 0.05 by solid state reaction method. The bulk oxide ion conductivity gradually increases with respect to the doping concentration and the maximum value was obtained for x = 0.05 composition. This conductivity maximum is in good consistent with R. A. De Souza's oxygen vacancy diffusivity limit concept for perovskite systems (Advanced Functional Materials, 25 (2015)). On doping of 5mol% of Mn in the Ti-site/B-site NB0.49T system, it was observed that the oxygen-ion conduction inside the grain boundary increased considerably. Grain conductivity of NaBi0.49TiO3 at 500 °C is ∼3.0 ± 0.5 mS cm−1, which is approximately 122 % greater than that pure NBT compositions. Additionally, NB0.9T -exhibited a conductivity value of 4.7 mS/cm at 500 °C, which increases to 9.2 mS/cm on 5 mol% Mn-modification. The observed increase in conductivity was ascribed due to the electrostatic interactions between Mn–Ti or Mn–O bond. Therefore, our current findings on NB0.49T illustrates that present approach should be applicable to modify the system for SOFC application.