| Author: | Hu, Tiantian |
| Title: | Study of bismuth layer-structured ferroelectrics for high-temperature applications |
| Degree: | M.Phil. |
| Year: | 2006 |
| Subject: | Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations Bismuth Ferroelectric crystals |
| Department: | Department of Applied Physics |
| Pages: | 1 v. (various pagings) : ill. ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | With the trends in environmental protection, there are growing interest and demand in developing lead-free ferroelectric materials for replacing the currently used lead-based materials in various piezoelectric and pyroelectric applications. In the present work, bismuth titanate-based ferroelectric materials Bi3.5-x/3Nd0.5Ti3-xNbxO12 (BNTN), both in the forms of ceramic and film, with good piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties have been successfully fabricated and have been shown to be potential candidates for high-temperature sensor applications. BNTN ceramics were prepared using a conventional mixed-oxide technique. The ceramics were sintered well into a single phase of bismuth layered perovskite structure at 1000C for 4 hours. The effects of the niobium (Nb) dopant on the electrical, ferroelectric, piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties have then been investigated and discussed. No significant effect of the Nb dopant on the Curie temperatures (Tc) is observed; all the BNTN ceramics exhibit similar high values of Tc (~ 540C). Concluding from the observations on the temperature and frequency dependences of the dielectric loss, the Nb dopant can effectively reduce the oxygen vacancies in the BNTN ceramics, while the oxygen vacancies are responsible for the high conductivity of the bismuth tianate-based ceramics. Our results also reveal that after the doping with Nb, the dielectric constant e, coercive field Ec and leakage current J of the Bi3.5Nd0.5Ti3Oi2 (BNT) ceramic decrease, while its remanent polarization Pr, piezoelectric (charge) coefficient d33 and pyroelectric coefficient p increase. At the optimum doping level (~ 6 mol%), the ceramic exhibits the largest Pr (15 uC/cm2), largest d33 (22 uC/N), largest p (129 uC/m2K), and the lowest J (3x10-8 A/cm2). Since the ceramics also have a relatively low value of e (~ 99), their piezoelectric (voltage) coefficient and figure of merit for pyroelectricity are large and comparable to those of a lead-based ferroelectric ceramic. Together with the high Curie temperature, the BNTN ceramics therefore should be good candidates for various high-temperature sensing applications. For MEMS application studies, Bi3.5Nd0.5Ti3O12 (BNT) thin films of thickness 900 nm have been successfully fabricated on platinized silicon substrates using a sol-gel method. The dielectric, ferroelectric as well as the piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of the films were investigated. Our results reveal that the BNT thin films can crystallize well into a single phase of bismuth layered perovskite structure at 650C and 700C. However, a higher annealing temperature results in larger grains and better properties. For the BNT thin film annealed at 700C, the observed e, tand, Pr, p and e31,f are 132, 0.034, 22 uC/cm2, 148 uC/m2K and 1 .45 C/m2, respectively. Similar to the cases for ceramics, owing to the low e, the piezoelectric (voltage) coefficient and figure of merit for pyroelectricity of the films are large and comparable to those of a lead-based ferroelectric thin film. Therefore, the BNT thin films could be employed in various sensor applications. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | open access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b19579822.pdf | For All Users | 5.87 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
Copyright Undertaking
As a bona fide Library user, I declare that:
- I will abide by the rules and legal ordinances governing copyright regarding the use of the Database.
- I will use the Database for the purpose of my research or private study only and not for circulation or further reproduction or any other purpose.
- I agree to indemnify and hold the University harmless from and against any loss, damage, cost, liability or expenses arising from copyright infringement or unauthorized usage.
By downloading any item(s) listed above, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the copyright undertaking as stated above, and agree to be bound by all of its terms.
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://theses.lib.polyu.edu.hk/handle/200/694