Crystal orientation dependent optical transmittance and band gap of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-BaTiO3 single crystals

Optical transmittance spectra of lead-free ferroelectric (1−x)Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-xBaTiO3 (NBT-xBT) single crystals poled along different directions have been studied comprehensively. After poled along [001] direction, the transmittance of tetragonal NBT-8%BT crystal is about 70%, which is much higher than that of NBT-2%BT crystal with rhombohedral structure and NBT-5%BT crystal with morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) composition. However, after poled [111] direction, the transmittance of tetragonal NBT-8%BT crystal is the smallest among them. These properties are manifest in view of the crystal structure. Both direct and indirect optical energy band gaps, as well phonon energies were obtained from absorption coefficient spectra by Tauc equations. The band gaps of [001]-poled NBT-xBT crystals increase with BT content, yet the [111]-poled crystals have opposite trends.