Reactive sintering of (K0.5Bi0.5)TiO3-BiFeO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

Abstract

Ceramics based on BiFeO3 are potential lead-free replacements for Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 in a variety of applications such as sensors, transducers and actuators. Recently, ceramics in the (K0.5Bi0.5)TiO3-BiFeO3 system were developed which have excellent piezoelectric properties. However, these ceramics are difficult to sinter to high density. The present work studies the use of reactive sintering to prepare 0.4(K0.5Bi0.5)TiO3-0.6BiFeO3 ceramics. Undoped and MnO-doped powders were prepared by ball milling K2CO3, (BiO)2CO3, TiO2, α-FeO(OH) and MnCO3 in ethanol with zirconia milling media. The decomposition and calcination reactions of the starting materials were studied using differential scanning calorimetry/thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infra-red analysis. Samples were sintered in the temperature range from 1000 to 1075°C and their structures and microstructures examined using X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman scattering and scanning electron microscopy. MnO doping reduced the rhombohedral distortion of the unit cell. The dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of selected undoped and MnO-doped samples were measured. Both undoped and MnO-doped samples displayed relaxor-type behavior. MnO doping reduced the conductivity of the samples, which exhibit a well-defined activation energy of 1.21 eV. Undoped samples have strain vs. electric field properties comparable to those reported in the literature.