The effects of Nd3+ addition on structure and functional properties of Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NBT) are examined. X-ray crystallography has allowed the identification of a continuous solid solution with the general formula Na-0.5[Bi1-xNdx](0.5)TiO3. In the composition range 0 <= x <= 0.25 the structure was found to crystallize in rhombohedral symmetry while for higher Nd3+ concentrations tetragonal symmetry is favored. The functional properties are investigated in more detail for the solid solution containing 5% Nd3+ where an overall improvement of the ferroelectric properties and a rather high pyroelectric coefficient could be obtained. The fluorescence behavior of this composition is also reported. It is thought that Nd3+ doped NBT may be highly promising for a range of applications requiring lead-free ferroelectrics with improved properties. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.