Investigation of the influence of La3 + concentration on the microstructural and structural properties of ferroelectric ceramics of (K0.48-x/2 Na0.52-x/2Lax)NbO3

• Grant number: 19/24458-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2020
• End date: May 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Manuel Henrique Lente
• Grantee: Beatriz Soares Lopes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/13769-1 - Multiferroic and ferroelectric materials for energy converters: synthesis, properties, phenomenology and applications, AP.TEM

Abstract

In this project, it is proposed a systematic investigation to determine the influence of La3+ ion concentration and the sintering parameters on the microstructural, structural and dielectric properties of lead-free ferroelectric ceramics based on (KNa)NbO3. After concluding this project, we intend to contribute to a better understanding and to reach advances in the field of production of lead-free transparent ferroelectric ceramics (TFCs), aiming to their potential applications in optical and electro-optical devices. For this purpose, we will determine the optimized La3+ concentration, as well as the best both sintering temperatures and dwell times, for each composition, able to produce ceramic bodies with high microstructural and structural homogeneity and high density, thus maximizing the physical properties of these compounds. The physical properties of the sintered ceramics will be compared with those reported in the literature for lead-based TFCs.