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Electric-Field-Induced Phase Transition in Mn-Doped (K_0.48Na_0.48Li_0.04)NbO₃ Lead-Free Ceramics

H.E. Mgbemere, G.A. Schneider, L. Schmitt, M. Hinterstein

Journal of Ceramic Science and Technology, Vol. 8, No. 1 (2017), pp. 45-52

DOI: 10.4416/JCST2016-00074

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Abstract

In situ applied-electric-field high-resolution X-ray diffraction has been used to study the field-induced response of Mn-doped (K0.48Na0.48Li0.04)NbO3 (KNN-L) ceramics produced using the conventional mixed-oxide processing route. Ferroelectric domains are observed with transmission electron microscopy with indications of nano-segregation of Mn. Rietveld refinement (FULLPROF Suite) is used to refine the diffraction patterns, and a phase change from orthorhombic symmetry with space group Amm2 to tetragonal symmetry with space group P4mm is observed when the applied field exceeds 1.4 kV/mm. Phase coexistence between the two phases is also observed at applied fields between 1.2 kV/mm and 1.3 kV/mm with possible implications of being the coercive field EC value of the sample. A better understanding of the structural behaviour of this type of lead-free ceramics will lead to improvements in their piezoelectric and electromechanical properties.

Keywords

Keywords: (KxNa1-x)NbO3, high resolution, X-ray diffraction, electric field, lead-free ceramics

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