ABSTRACT
The (Na0.5Bi0.5)1-xBaxTiO3 (x = 0, 0.08 and 0.09) ceramics are fabricated by a conventional solid phase sintering process. X-ray diffraction analysis and Raman spectra show that the specimens possess perovskite structure with rhombohedral (for x = 0) and tetragonal (for x = 0.08 and 0.09) symmetry at room temperature. The microstructure study shows a dense structure in good agreement with above 95% relative density as determined by Archimedes' method (immersion liquid: distilled water). The main broad anomaly in dielectric permittivity is shifted to lower temperatures and local anomaly shows relaxor behaviour after Ba doping of NBT. The pyroelectric and hysteresis loops measurements show that polarization increases and coercive field decreases, for increasing Ba doping of NBT. The results are discussed in terms of ions/lattice imperfections, which create local electromechanical fields. The investigated ceramics are considered to be promising candidates for lead-free electronic materials.