Bi0.8Nd0.2FeO3: a new PbO-free antiferroelectric ceramic
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Sheffield
Department Name: Materials Science and Engineering
Abstract
There are only a handful of functional oxides which exhibit antipolar cation displacements that can be fabricated at ambient pressures. Such compounds have either the NaNbO3 or PbZrO3 structure which differ in that the antipolar displacements are along the edges and face diagonals, respectively, of the pseudcocubic perovskite cell. Of these two structural types, only PbZrO3-based compounds, have ever shown the ability to switch between an antipolar (antiferroelectric) and polar (ferroelectric) states under electric field, giving rise to large strain and/or charge. The large polarisation and strain associated with PbZrO3 has resulted in its use as an end members in the solid solution PbZrO3 - PbTiO3 (PZT) which is the main functional ceramic system utilised for sensor and actuator applications. However, environmental legislation governing the fabrication of ceramics using PbO may well limit future markets for PZT. The discovery of a new PbO-free compound, Bi0.8Nd0.2FeO3, with the PbZrO3 structure is therefore extremely timely, of the utmost significance from a fundamental scientific perspective and could herald a new generation of PbO-free ceramics suitable for device applications. The proposal aims to understand the fundamental structure property relations of materials based on Bi0.8Nd0.2FeO3 and to develop ceramics suitable for device applications
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Ian Reaney (Principal Investigator) | |
Derek Sinclair (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Dittmer R
(2012)
A High-Temperature-Capacitor Dielectric Based on K 0.5 Na 0.5 NbO 3 -Modified Bi 1/2 Na 1/2 TiO 3 - Bi 1/2 K 1/2 TiO 3
in Journal of the American Ceramic Society
Kalantari K
(2012)
Structural phase transitions in Ti-doped Bi1- x Nd x FeO3 ceramics
in Journal of Applied Physics
Kalantari K
(2011)
Ti-Doping to Reduce Conductivity in Bi 0.85 Nd 0.15 FeO 3 Ceramics
in Advanced Functional Materials
Levin I
(2011)
Displacive Phase Transitions and Magnetic Structures in Nd-Substituted BiFeO 3
in Chemistry of Materials
MacLaren I
(2013)
Local stabilisation of polar order at charged antiphase boundaries in antiferroelectric (Bi0.85Nd0.15)(Ti0.1Fe0.9)O3
in APL MATERIALS
MacLaren I
(2015)
On the origin of differential phase contrast at a locally charged and globally charge-compensated domain boundary in a polar-ordered material.
in Ultramicroscopy
MacLaren I
(2012)
Novel Nanorod Precipitate Formation in Neodymium and Titanium Codoped Bismuth Ferrite
in Advanced Functional Materials
Reaney I
(2012)
Defect chemistry of Ti-doped antiferroelectric Bi0.85Nd0.15FeO3
in Applied Physics Letters
Yan F
(2011)
Multiferroic properties and temperature-dependent leakage mechanism of Sc-substituted bismuth ferrite-lead titanate thin films
in Scripta Materialia
Zhang H
(2015)
Stabilisation of Fe2O3-rich Perovskite Nanophase in Epitaxial Rare-earth Doped BiFeO3 Films.
in Scientific reports
Description | The project explored the ferroelectric and magnetic properties of Nd doped BiFeO3 ceramics. Key findings where: 1) Strong coupling between the nuclear transition from the AFE-PE transition and the magnetic properties was observed. 2) Full structural refinements of the Nd-doped system were carried out with large volume changes observed at AFE-PE and FE-PE transitions. 3) Ti doping to reduce conductivity in the Nd-BNiFeO3 system was introduced 4) Nd-doped BiFeO3 was tested in various atmospheres and shown to be a p-type semiconductor at RT |
Exploitation Route | The coupling between the nuclear transitions and magnetic properties is being actively explored for magnetoelectric coupling devices in thin films. Thin films have been fabricated in collaboration with S.T. McKinstry at PSU. |
Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Electronics |
Description | The work published from this project has redefined the relationship between ferroelectric/magnetic properties and structure in RE-doped BiFeO3. The strong coupling between the nuclear transition and the magnetic properties points to possible ways in which magnetoelectric properties can be optimised in BiFeO3 based ceramics. The determination of the conduction mechanism in BiFeO3 and the use of Ti to dope samples has led to improved ferroelectric and dielectric properties in the BiFeO3 familiy of materials. New defect chemistry mechanisms and novel precipitates and planar defects have been discovered in Nd-doped BiFeO3. Magnetoelectric materials are being research heavily for potential use in sensors and memories. They allow the possibility of a magnetic response being converted to an electric response and vice-versa. The work performed om the grant has greatly added to the understanding of how to control magnetic properties and improve electric properties in the BiFeO3 family of materials; one of the leading contenders for magnetoelectric devices. Beneficiaries: Multiferroics community Contribution Method: Established key structure- property relations in magnetoelectric, Nd-doped BiFeO3 ceramics |
First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Electronics |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | Conference Invited talks (international) Invited Seminars (National) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The research formed the basis of multiple invited presentations at international conferences, e.g. Electronic Materials and their Applications, Electroceramics, International Symposium on Applied Ferroelectrics. The audience members varied from post graduate researchers to faculty in other universities (professional practioners). The research was also presented at Glasgow University and Liverpool University in their seminar series. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2011,2012,2013,2014 |
Description | conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Research formed part of several invited presentations and seminars over a number of years at conferences such as Electronic Materials and there Applications, Electroceramics and International Symposium on Applied Ferroelectrics as well as seminars at Glasgow and Liverpool University |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014,2015 |