Realizing large strain at low electric field in Pb(Zr,Ti)O_(3)-based piezoelectric ceramics via engineering lattice distortion and domain structure

Pb(Zr,Ti)O_(3)-based ceramics are the mainstream materials for commercial multilayer piezoelectric ceramic actuators,but to date,large strains at low electric fields have not been well solved.Herein,0.95Pb(Zr_(0.56)Ti_(0.44))O_(3)–0.05(Bi_(0.5)Na_(0.5))TiO_(3–x)BaZrO_(3)(PZT–BNT–xBZ)ceramics with efficient ferroelectric domain wall motion were designed and realized by reducing lattice distortion and changing the domain structure.It is found that the introduction of BaZrO_(3)(BZ)weakens the tetragonal phase distortion of PZT,contributing to a reduction in the mechanical stress that impedes the migration of domain walls.Moreover,the domain structures could be modified by adjusting the BZ content,where short and broad striped domains are constructed with high amplitude characteristics to enhance the domain wall motion.A large strain of 0.39%is accordingly achieved at an electric field as low as 40 kV/cm for the sample with x=0.03,accompanied by excellent temperature stability over the temperature range of 30–210℃.This study delves into the synergistic effects of reducing lattice distortion and changing domain structure on domain wall motion and provides an effective strategy to improve the strain of PZT-based piezoelectric ceramics.

Optimizing piezoelectric performance of complex perovskite through increasing diversity of B-site cations

Piezoelectric materials with unique properties are hugely appealing for high sensitivity sensors and ultrasonic transducers.Here,Pb(Ni_(1/3)Nb_(2/3))O_(3)-Pb(Yb_(1/2)Nb_(1/2))O_(3)-PbTiO_(3)piezoelectric system was designed and investigated in detail.The optimized piezoelectric response(d_(33)=826 pC/N,d_(33)∗=1017 pm/V)together with good temperature stability and negligible performance degradation up to 10^(6) cycles was achieved in 0.58PNN-0.10PYN-0.32PT composition.Rayleigh analysis revealed the amplification of intrinsic and extrinsic contributions in MPB region due to more spontaneous polarization orientations and an increase in chemical disorder of system after the introduction of PYN.The origin of high piezoelectric response was investigated through the combination of scanning electron microscopy and piezoresponse force microscopy.The diversity of B-site cations was shown to enhance local structural heterogeneity,weaken long-range ferroelectric ordered domains,and lower free energy barrier via the formation of nanodomain configuration that promoted polarization rotation,thereby improving piezoelectric properties of the material.Therefore,it is suggested that increasing the diversity of B-site cations is an effective strategy for achieving outstanding piezoelectric performance.

Effect of Sb-induced oxygen octahedral distortion on piezoelectric performance and thermal stability of Pb(In,Nb)O_(3)-Pb(Hf,Ti)O_(3)ceramics

The combination of excellent thermal stability and outstanding electrical performance is of great sig-nificance for piezoelectric ceramics.Herein,we have prepared 0.11Pb(In_(0.5)Nb_(0.5))O_(3)-0.89Pb(Hf_(0.47)Ti_(0.53))O_(3)-Sb_(2)O_(5)(PIN-PHT-x Sb)ceramics by solid-phase method and investigated the effect of oxygen octahedral lattice distortion on microstructure and macroscopic electrical properties.The distortion index of oxygen octahedra is studied by Rietveld refinement,showing that optimal octahedral distortion can soften B-O repulsion,disrupt long-range ordered ferroelectric domains,and enhance local heterogeneities,signifi-cantly increasing piezoelectric properties.Moreover,outstanding thermal stability and ultrahigh piezo-electric response of PIN-PHT-1.2Sb ceramics are realized under the synergistic influence of octahedral distortion,excellent density,and large grain size.Compared with PIN-PHT ceramics,PIN-PHT-1.2Sb ce-ramics exhibit ultrahigh piezoelectric responses(d_(33)=706 pC/N,k_(p)=0.68,ε_(r)=3244),a high Curie temperature(T C)of 300℃,excellent thermal stability,and anti-fatigue properties.