Structural and electrical properties of tetragonal tungsten bronze K4Bi2Nb10O30-Ba4Na2Nb10O30 solid solutions across two proximate phase transitions

Abstract

Tetragonal tungsten bronzes allow for broader compositional engineering compared to perovskites. Here we investigate solid solutions between Ba4Na2Nb10O30 (BNN) and K4Bi2Nb10O30 (KBiN). A transition from orthorhombic to tetragonal symmetry was observed at 30–35 % KBiN. An expansion of the in-plane and a contraction of the out-of-plane parameter were observed with increasing KBiN content. Ferroelectricity, shown by a maximum in permittivity, was observed up to 20–35 % KBiN, while diffuse dielectric behaviour was exhibited from 40 % KBiN. Non-linear P-E loops are evident up to 35 % KBiN, and vaguely present for 40 % KBiN. The most prominent ferroelectric character, assigned by large remanent polarisation and opening of the strain hysteresis response was exhibited at 35 % KBiN. A ferroelastic-paraelastic phase transition between 30 % and 35 % KBiN and a ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition around ∼40 % KBiN were inferred. Thus, the two distinct phase transitions mimic the temperature dependent structural evolution observed for BNN.