Fabrication and properties of Na0.9K0.1NbO3 nanostructures by molten salt synthesis

Abstract

Na 0.9 K 0.1 NbO 3 nanostructures have been prepared by a molten salt synthesis method using KCl–NaCl as medium. Though the equal amount of Na 2 CO 3 and K 2 CO 3 has been introduced, the resulted products are a Na rich Na 0.9 K 0.1 NbO 3 , not Na 0.5 K 0.5 NbO 3 . Due to the higher diffusion rate of Na + ions compared to that of K + ions, the Na + ions preferentially occupy the A-site in the perovskite structure, facilitating the formation of Na 0.9 K 0.1 NbO 3 . Moreover, Na 0.9 K 0.1 NbO 3 ceramics densified from nanostructures show the saturated ferroelectric loop. The coercive electric field E c and remanent polarization P r are 45 kV/cm and 17 μC/cm 2 , respectively. • Na 0.9 K 0.1 NbO 3 nanostructures have been prepared by a molten salt synthesis method. • The diffusion rate of the alkali metal ions in the molten salt process was studied. • The Na 0.9 K 0.1 NbO 3 ceramics show the saturated ferroelectric loops.