Preparation and properties of neodymium-modified bismuth titanate ceramics

Neodymium-modified bismuth titanate (BNT) powder with compositions of Bi4−xNdxTi3O12 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5 and 0.75) were prepared through a hydrolysis method. The influence of Nd addition on the powder characteristics, sintering, microstructure and properties were investigated. It was found that the absorption band of Ti–O stretching vibration at 589 cm−1 was shifted to a higher wave number in the IR spectra, and the sintering as well as grain growth was significantly retarded. The Curie temperature, dielectric loss and Curie peak intensity were steadily decreased with an increase in Nd concentration, and the dielectric constant and loss tangent became much less dependent on temperature and frequency. At the same time, the polarization properties of the material were greatly improved.