Effects of Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 Dopant on Microstructure and Thermoelectric Properties of Na(x)CoO2 Ceramics

Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-doped Na(x)CoO2 ceramics with varied doping concentration of 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05 and 0.07 mol fraction were prepared by conventional solid state reaction method. The firing condition used was 950 degrees C for 8 h. X-ray diffraction pattern results showed that all produced ceramics were single phase with a hexagonal structure. Due to the substitution of BNT inside Na(x)CoO2 lattice, there was a slight shift of X-ray diffraction pattern to the left which indicated the lattice expansion. The scanning electron micrographs of ceramics indicated that small amount of BNT addition could eliminate pore and improved densification. A small amount of undissolved BNT was also present in Na(x)CoO2 matrix and dispersed at grain boundaries causing a decrease in grain size of the ceramic. The electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of ceramics showed that all samples possessed metallic conduction behavior. However, BNT addition caused a reduction of electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient and power factor of Na(x)CoO2 ceramics.