Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃ (NBT) is a well-known lead-free piezoelectric material with potential to replace lead zirconate titanate (PZT),¹ however high leakage conductivity for the material has been widely reported.² Through a combination of Impedance Spectroscopy (IS), O^2- ion transference (EMF) number experiments and O¹⁸ tracer diffusion measurements, combined with Time-of-flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (TOFSIMS), it was identified that this leakage conductivity was due to oxygen ion conductivity. The volatilization of bismuth during synthesis, causing oxygen vacancies, is believed to be responsible for the leakage conductivity.³ The oxide-ion conductivity, when doped with magnesium, exceeds that of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) at ~500 °C,³ making it a potential electrolyte material for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Cells (ITSOCs). Figure 1 shows the comparison of bulk oxide ion conductivity between 2 at.% Mg-doped NBT and other known oxide ion conductors.

As part of the UK wide £5.7m 4CU project, research has concentrated on trying to develop NBT for use in Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Cells (ITSOCS). With the aim of achieving mixed ionic and electronic conduction, transition metals were chemically doped on to the Ti-site. A range of experimental techniques was used to characterize the materials aimed at investigating both conductivity and material structure (Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), IS, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS)). The potential for NBT as an ITSOC material, as well as the challenges of developing the material, will be discussed.

(1)  Takenaka T. et al. Jpn. J. Appl. Phys 1999, 30, 2236.

(2)  Hiruma Y. et al. J. Appl. Phys 2009, 105, 084112.

(3)   Li. M. et al. Nature Materials 2013, 13, 31.