The effect of the addition of barium titanate on the photoelectric response of KNN-based ferroelectric ceramics

A.V. Sopit; L.V. Zhoga; S.R. Al Saidi

doi:10.18127/j15604128-202605-01

The effect of the addition of barium titanate on the photoelectric response of KNN-based ferroelectric ceramics

A.V. Sopit¹, L.V. Zhoga², S.R. Al Saidi³

research article UDC 537.226.3 Pages: 5-14 doi.org/10.18127/j15604128-202605-01

^1,2,3 Volgograd State Technical University (Volgograd, Russia)

Keywords: Photocurrent nonstationary photovoltaic current lead-free KNN ferroceramics low-frequency dielectric response BaTiO3

Abstract

Most piezoelectric materials do not interact with visible light, so the search for modified materials for effective photovoltaic energy conversion under light exposure is an urgent task. Lead-free ferro-piezoceramics based on potassium-sodium niobate (KNN) modified with BaTiO3 are of practical interest, as they have high dielectric and piezoelectric properties and are promising for achieving high photovoltaic conversion efficiency. Aim this work investigation of the effect of BaTiO3 additives on the behavior of photocurrent in short-circuited samples of KNN-based ferroceramics when illuminated with white light at room temperature. The occurrence of photocurrent in short-circuited samples of KNNS7–xBаTiO3 ferroelectric piezoceramics irradiated with nonpolarized low-intensity optical light at room temperature was investigated. It was found that an increase in the concentration of BaTiO3 leads to an increase in the photocurrent values and the duration of the establishment of its stationary value. The dielectric characteristics of the material and their stability over time were measured. The effect of treating the samples with a strong sinusoidal electric field on the stability of the photocurrent kinetics was discovered. The results obtained can serve as a basic concept for further development of ferroelectric materials with a balance of high ferroelectric properties and a narrow band gap to improve photovoltaic energy conversion.

Received: 04.12.2025
Approved after review: 08.02.2026
Accepted: 01.09.2026

How to cite

Сопит А.В., Жога Л.В., Аль Саиди С.Р. Влияние добавки титаната бария на фотоэлектрический отклик сегнетокерамики на основе KNN // Электромагнитные волны и электронные системы. 2026. Т. 31. № 5. С. 5−14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18127/j15604128-202605-01

References

Whatmore R.W., Bell A.J. Pyroelectric ceramics in the lead zirconate-lead titanate-lead iron niobate system. Ferroelectrics. 1981. V. 35. № 1. P. 155–160. DOI 10.1080/00150198108017679.
Lian J., Shiosaki T. Pyroelectric properties of Pb[Zr, Ti, (Zn, Nb)]O3 solid solution ceramics. Ferroelectrics. 1991. V. 118. № 1. P. 135–141. DOI 10.1080/00150199108014754.
Kumar P., Sharma S., Thakur O.P., Prakash C., Goel T.C. Dielectric, piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of PMN–PT (68:32) system. Ceramics International. 2004. V. 30. № 4. P. 585–589.
Saito Y., Takao H., Tani T., Nonoyama Т., Takatori K., Homma T., Nagaya T., Nakamura M. Lead-free piezoceramics. Nature. 2004. V. 432. № 7013. P. 84–87. DOI 10.1038/nature03028.
Mgbemere H.E., Schneider G.A., Stegk T.A. Effect of antimony substitution for niobium on the crystal structure, piezoelectric and dielectric properties of (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 ceramics. Functional Materials Letters. 2010. V. 3. № 1. P. 25–30. DOI 10.1142/ S1793604710000841.
Smeltere I. Lead-free ferroelectric ceramics based on alkali niobates. Summary of the doctoral thesis. Riga: RTU. 2012. 27 p.
Gong Y., Yang G., Li X., Gong L., Li L., Peng J., Zheng X. Piezoelectric properties and aging mechanism of K0.5Na0.5Nb(1−y)SbyO3 piezoceramics prepared by low temperature solvothermal method. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics. 2012. V. 23. № 10. P.1910–1915. DOI 10.1007/s10854-012-0879-2.
Kaushiga C., Sakhuja S., Devasaia R., Kaarthik J., Sradha G., Reddy S.G., Annapureddy V. Lead-free Sb-modified potassium sodium niobate ceramics for enhanced energy harvesting and superior performance in piezoelectric transducers for ultrasonic inspection. Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing. 2025. V. 131. № 2. P. 118. DOI 10.1007/s00339-024-08234-8.
Smeltere I., Bormanis K., Sopit A.V., Burkhanov A.I. Dielectric response in (K0.5Na0.5) (Nb1-xSbx)O3+0.5 mol%MnO2 ceramics to weak sinusoidal fields of low and infra-low frequencies. Integrated Ferroelectrics. 2011. V. 123. № 1. P. 108–112. DOI 10.1080/10584587. 2011.570659.
Park H.-Y., Ahn Ch.-W., Song H.-Ch., Lee J.-H., Nahm S., Uchino K., Lee H.-G., Lee H.-J. Microstructure and piezoelectric properties of 0.95(Na0.5K0.5)NbO3- 0.05BaTiO3 ceramics. Applied Physics Letters. 2006. V. 89. № 6. P. 062906. DOI 10.1063/1.2335816.
Lin D., Kwok K.W., Chan H.L.W. Structure, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties of CuO-doped K0.5Na0.5NbO3-BaTiO3 lead-free ceramics. Journal of Applied Physic. 2007. V. 102. № 7. P. 074113. DOI 10.1063/1.2787164.
Brody P.S., Rod B.J. Photovoltages in ferroelectric films. Integrated Ferroelectrics. 1992. V. 2. № 1-4. P. 1–11.
Thakoor S., Olson E., Nixon R.H. Optically addressed ferroelectric memory and its applications. Integrated Ferroelectrics. 1994. V. 4. № 3. P. 257–269. DOI 10.1080/10584589408017029.
Lemanov V.V., Sotnikov A.V., Yushin N.K. Thermoselectrooptic data recording in ferroelectric films. Letters to the Journal of Technical Physics. 1993. V. 19. № 1. P. 61–64. (in Russian)
Magomadov R.M. Photoelectric, kinetic phenomena and memory effects in ferroelectrics, piezoelectrics and ferroelastics: abstract of the dissertation... Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. Grozny. 2013. 25 p. (in Russian)
Birol H., Damjanovic D., Setter N. Preparation and characterization of (K0.5Na0.5) NbO3 ceramics. Journal of the European Ceramic Society. 2006. V. 26. № 6. P. 861–866. DOI 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2004.11.022.
Fedorov K.A., Mukhin N.V., Afanasyev V.P. Non‑destructive optical data reading in a ferroelectric‑semiconductor capacitor structure. Fundamental Problems of Radioelectronic Instrument Engineering. 2010. V. 10. № 1-2. P. 46–49. (in Russian)
Lu Ch., Zhao Ye., Zhang Q., Li Sh., Li P., Guo Yu., Li Y., Zhang L., Hao X. Photochromic and luminescent modulation behaviors in K0.5Na0.5NbO3-based ferroelectric transparent ceramics. Journal of Materials Science. 2025. V. 60. № 37. P. 16779–16789. DOI 10.1007/s10853-025-11410-7.
Sopit A.V., Zhoga L.V., Dikov R.V., Koreneva V.V. Dependence of the steady current in VRTS ferroceramics on cobalt doping under the influence of optical radiation. Engineering Bulletin of the Don. 2022. № 8(92). P. 38–48. (in Russian)
Yarmarkin V.K., Gol'tsman B.M., Kazanin M.M., Lemanov V.V. Barrier photovoltaic effects in PZT ferroelectric thin films. Physics of the Solid State. 2000. V. 42. № 3. P. 522–527. DOI 10.1134/1.1131242.
Zhirkov A.V., Burkhanov A.I., Sidorkin A.S., Vorotnikov E.V. Dispersion of Dielectric Permittivity in Ferroelectric Ceramics (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 Modified with BaTiO3. Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Physics. 2019. V. 83. № 9. P. 1122–1124. DOI 10.3103/S1062873819090314.
Solnyshkin A.V. Pyroelectric and photovoltaic effects in inhomogeneous ferroelectric structures: abstract of the dissertation... Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. Tver. 2012. 34 p. (in Russian)
Fridkin V.M., Popov B.N. Anomalous photovoltaic effect in ferroelectrics. Advances in Physical Sciences. 1978. V. 126. № 4. P. 657–671. DOI 10.3367/UFNr.0126.197812f.0657. (in Russian)
Zhoga L.V., Zhoga V.V., Nesterov V.N., Terekh V.V., Dmitruk M.I. Analysis of the random nature jumps which arise in the ferroelectric at electromechanical loading. Nonlinear World. 2012. V. 10. № 9. P. 585–590. (in Russian)
Zhoga L.V., Zhoga V.V., Nesterov V.N., Terekh V.V., Gabrielyan A.V. Study of polarization currents under the simultaneous action of electric field and mechanical stresses in the method of computer simulation of ferroelectric domain walls movement. Electromagnetic Waves and Electronic Systems. 2012. V. 17. № 8. P. 67–72. (in Russian)
Burkhanov A.I., Zhirkov A.V., Laletin R.A., Bormanis K., Smeltere I. Dielectric properties of (K0.5Na0.5)(Nb0.93Sb0.07)O3 ferroelectric ceramics modified with BaTiO3. Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Physics. 2016. V. 80. № 9. P. 1084–1088. DOI 10.3103/ S1062873816090069.
Al Saedi S.R., Burkhanov A.I., Bormanis K. Repolarization processes in lead-free KNN ceramics. Ferroelectrics. 2022. V. 591. № 1. P. 1–6. DOI 10.1080/00150193.2022.2041916.
Burkhanov A.I., Al Saedi S.R., Bormanis K. Photoelectric properties of KNN ceramics. Ferroelectrics. 2022. V. 591. № 1. P. 26–32. DOI 10.1080/00150193.2022.2041919.
Ryvkin S.M. Photoelectric Phenomena in Semiconductors. Moscow: Fizmatgiz. 1963. 497 p. (in Russian)

[1] Whatmore R.W., Bell A.J. Pyroelectric ceramics in the lead zirconate-lead titanate-lead iron niobate system. Ferroelectrics. 1981. V. 35. № 1. P. 155–160. DOI 10.1080/00150198108017679.

[2] Lian J., Shiosaki T. Pyroelectric properties of Pb[Zr, Ti, (Zn, Nb)]O3 solid solution ceramics. Ferroelectrics. 1991. V. 118. № 1. P. 135–141. DOI 10.1080/00150199108014754.

[3] Kumar P., Sharma S., Thakur O.P., Prakash C., Goel T.C. Dielectric, piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of PMN–PT (68:32) system. Ceramics International. 2004. V. 30. № 4. P. 585–589.

[4] Saito Y., Takao H., Tani T., Nonoyama Т., Takatori K., Homma T., Nagaya T., Nakamura M. Lead-free piezoceramics. Nature. 2004. V. 432. № 7013. P. 84–87. DOI 10.1038/nature03028.

[5] Mgbemere H.E., Schneider G.A., Stegk T.A. Effect of antimony substitution for niobium on the crystal structure, piezoelectric and dielectric properties of (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 ceramics. Functional Materials Letters. 2010. V. 3. № 1. P. 25–30. DOI 10.1142/ S1793604710000841.

[6] Smeltere I. Lead-free ferroelectric ceramics based on alkali niobates. Summary of the doctoral thesis. Riga: RTU. 2012. 27 p.

[7] Gong Y., Yang G., Li X., Gong L., Li L., Peng J., Zheng X. Piezoelectric properties and aging mechanism of K0.5Na0.5Nb(1−y)SbyO3 piezoceramics prepared by low temperature solvothermal method. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics. 2012. V. 23. № 10. P.1910–1915. DOI 10.1007/s10854-012-0879-2.

[8] Kaushiga C., Sakhuja S., Devasaia R., Kaarthik J., Sradha G., Reddy S.G., Annapureddy V. Lead-free Sb-modified potassium sodium niobate ceramics for enhanced energy harvesting and superior performance in piezoelectric transducers for ultrasonic inspection. Applied Physics A: Materials Science & Processing. 2025. V. 131. № 2. P. 118. DOI 10.1007/s00339-024-08234-8.

[9] Smeltere I., Bormanis K., Sopit A.V., Burkhanov A.I. Dielectric response in (K0.5Na0.5) (Nb1-xSbx)O3+0.5 mol%MnO2 ceramics to weak sinusoidal fields of low and infra-low frequencies. Integrated Ferroelectrics. 2011. V. 123. № 1. P. 108–112. DOI 10.1080/10584587. 2011.570659.

[10] Park H.-Y., Ahn Ch.-W., Song H.-Ch., Lee J.-H., Nahm S., Uchino K., Lee H.-G., Lee H.-J. Microstructure and piezoelectric properties of 0.95(Na0.5K0.5)NbO3- 0.05BaTiO3 ceramics. Applied Physics Letters. 2006. V. 89. № 6. P. 062906. DOI 10.1063/1.2335816.

[11] Lin D., Kwok K.W., Chan H.L.W. Structure, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties of CuO-doped K0.5Na0.5NbO3-BaTiO3 lead-free ceramics. Journal of Applied Physic. 2007. V. 102. № 7. P. 074113. DOI 10.1063/1.2787164.

[12] Brody P.S., Rod B.J. Photovoltages in ferroelectric films. Integrated Ferroelectrics. 1992. V. 2. № 1-4. P. 1–11.

[13] Thakoor S., Olson E., Nixon R.H. Optically addressed ferroelectric memory and its applications. Integrated Ferroelectrics. 1994. V. 4. № 3. P. 257–269. DOI 10.1080/10584589408017029.

[14] Lemanov V.V., Sotnikov A.V., Yushin N.K. Thermoselectrooptic data recording in ferroelectric films. Letters to the Journal of Technical Physics. 1993. V. 19. № 1. P. 61–64. (in Russian)

[15] Magomadov R.M. Photoelectric, kinetic phenomena and memory effects in ferroelectrics, piezoelectrics and ferroelastics: abstract of the dissertation... Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. Grozny. 2013. 25 p. (in Russian)

[16] Birol H., Damjanovic D., Setter N. Preparation and characterization of (K0.5Na0.5) NbO3 ceramics. Journal of the European Ceramic Society. 2006. V. 26. № 6. P. 861–866. DOI 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2004.11.022.

[17] Fedorov K.A., Mukhin N.V., Afanasyev V.P. Non‑destructive optical data reading in a ferroelectric‑semiconductor capacitor structure. Fundamental Problems of Radioelectronic Instrument Engineering. 2010. V. 10. № 1-2. P. 46–49. (in Russian)

[18] Lu Ch., Zhao Ye., Zhang Q., Li Sh., Li P., Guo Yu., Li Y., Zhang L., Hao X. Photochromic and luminescent modulation behaviors in K0.5Na0.5NbO3-based ferroelectric transparent ceramics. Journal of Materials Science. 2025. V. 60. № 37. P. 16779–16789. DOI 10.1007/s10853-025-11410-7.

[19] Sopit A.V., Zhoga L.V., Dikov R.V., Koreneva V.V. Dependence of the steady current in VRTS ferroceramics on cobalt doping under the influence of optical radiation. Engineering Bulletin of the Don. 2022. № 8(92). P. 38–48. (in Russian)

[20] Yarmarkin V.K., Gol'tsman B.M., Kazanin M.M., Lemanov V.V. Barrier photovoltaic effects in PZT ferroelectric thin films. Physics of the Solid State. 2000. V. 42. № 3. P. 522–527. DOI 10.1134/1.1131242.

[21] Zhirkov A.V., Burkhanov A.I., Sidorkin A.S., Vorotnikov E.V. Dispersion of Dielectric Permittivity in Ferroelectric Ceramics (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 Modified with BaTiO3. Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Physics. 2019. V. 83. № 9. P. 1122–1124. DOI 10.3103/S1062873819090314.

[22] Solnyshkin A.V. Pyroelectric and photovoltaic effects in inhomogeneous ferroelectric structures: abstract of the dissertation... Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. Tver. 2012. 34 p. (in Russian)

[23] Fridkin V.M., Popov B.N. Anomalous photovoltaic effect in ferroelectrics. Advances in Physical Sciences. 1978. V. 126. № 4. P. 657–671. DOI 10.3367/UFNr.0126.197812f.0657. (in Russian)

[24] Zhoga L.V., Zhoga V.V., Nesterov V.N., Terekh V.V., Dmitruk M.I. Analysis of the random nature jumps which arise in the ferroelectric at electromechanical loading. Nonlinear World. 2012. V. 10. № 9. P. 585–590. (in Russian)

[25] Zhoga L.V., Zhoga V.V., Nesterov V.N., Terekh V.V., Gabrielyan A.V. Study of polarization currents under the simultaneous action of electric field and mechanical stresses in the method of computer simulation of ferroelectric domain walls movement. Electromagnetic Waves and Electronic Systems. 2012. V. 17. № 8. P. 67–72. (in Russian)

[26] Burkhanov A.I., Zhirkov A.V., Laletin R.A., Bormanis K., Smeltere I. Dielectric properties of (K0.5Na0.5)(Nb0.93Sb0.07)O3 ferroelectric ceramics modified with BaTiO3. Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences: Physics. 2016. V. 80. № 9. P. 1084–1088. DOI 10.3103/ S1062873816090069.

[27] Al Saedi S.R., Burkhanov A.I., Bormanis K. Repolarization processes in lead-free KNN ceramics. Ferroelectrics. 2022. V. 591. № 1. P. 1–6. DOI 10.1080/00150193.2022.2041916.

[28] Burkhanov A.I., Al Saedi S.R., Bormanis K. Photoelectric properties of KNN ceramics. Ferroelectrics. 2022. V. 591. № 1. P. 26–32. DOI 10.1080/00150193.2022.2041919.

[29] Ryvkin S.M. Photoelectric Phenomena in Semiconductors. Moscow: Fizmatgiz. 1963. 497 p. (in Russian)

Abstract

How to cite

Related articles