Effects of rare-earth dopants on phase structure and electrical properties of lead-free bismuth sodium titanate-based ceramics

In this work,the effects of rare earth(RE)dopants on the phase structure,microstructure,and electrical properties of lead-free bismuth sodium titanate(BNT)-based ceramics were studied.Rare earth elements(i.e.,Sm,Gd,Ho,Pr,Y,and Yb)were selected as the dopants to replace the Bi site of Bi_(0.5)(Na_(0.8)K_(0.2))0.5TiO_(3) ceramics.It was found that the addition of moderate RE ions reduced the temperature of ferroelectricrelaxor transition(T_(f-r))and the dielectric maximum at lower temperature,while the slight influence on the dielectric maximum at higher temperature and microstructure were observed.Hereby,the threestage evolution of phase structure after introducing RE ions was confirmed.A high piezoelectric coefficient d_(33) of ~190 pC/N was achieved due to the improved dielectric constant in the state with stable electric field-induced ferroelectric phase.The high strain property and converse piezoelectric coefficient d_(33)* of ~340 pm/V were obtained in the state with the coexistence of nonergodic and ergodic relaxor phases when T_(f-r) approached room temperature.The degenerated overall electromechanical properties exhibited in the state with complete ergodic relaxor phase.This study affords a significant guidance for optimizing the piezoelectricity of BNT-based ceramics utilizing rare earth dopants.

Enhanced strain and electrostrictive properties in lead-free BNT-based ceramics via rare earth doping

Bi_(0.5)Na_(0.5)TiO_(3)(BNT)-based ceramics are one of the most promising lead-free ferroelectrics due to their high strain property.Compared to other chemical modifications,rare earth ions doping provides sig-nificant possibility to optimize the strain property of BNT-based ceramics.In this work,the effects of rare earth ions on phase structure,microstructure,and strain&electrostrictive properties of lead-free BNT-based ceramics were systematically investigated.Rare earth ions(i.e.,La^(3+),Sm^(3+),Yb^(3+),Dy^(3+),and Nd ^(3+))were selected as the doping ions.Introducing moderate La^(3+)ions can drive the ferroelectric state of BNT-based ceramics to nonergodic relaxor state or ergodic relaxor state.The enhanced strain response of~0.40-0.42% and high converse piezoelectric coefficient of~600-630 pm/V can be achieved under 60-70 kV/cm for La^(3+)-doped ceramic with nonergodic relaxor state.Besides,the giant electrostrictive coefficient Q 33 of~0.047 m 4/C 2 can be obtained for La ^(3+)-doped ceramic with ergodic relaxor state.Other rare earth ions also present the promotion effect on strain enhancement for BNT-based ceramics.This study affords a significant guidance to optimize strain and electrostrictive properties of BNT-based ce-ramics via rare earth ions doping.