Investigation of Structural and Electrical Properties of B-Site Complex Ion (Mg1/3Nb2/3)4+-Modified High-Curie-Temperature BiFeO3-BaTiO3 Ceramics

B-site complex ion (Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)-modified high-temperature ceramics 0.71BiFeO₃-0.29BaTi_1?x (Mg_1/3Nb_2/3) _x O₃ (BF-BTMNx) have been fabricated by the conventional solid-state reaction method. The compositional dependence of the?phase structure, electrical properties, and depolarization temperature of the ceramics was studied. The main phase structure of BF-BTMNx ceramics is perovskite phase with pseudocubic symmetry. The experimental results show that the dielectric and piezoelectric properties, and temperature stability strongly depend on the (Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)⁴⁺ content. The optimum (Mg_1/3Nb_2/3) content enhances the piezoelectric properties, Curie temperature, and depolarization temperature. The ceramic with x = 1% exhibited enhanced electrical properties of d ₃₃ = 158 pC/N and k _p = 0.322, combined with high-temperature stability with Curie temperature of T _c = 453°C and depolarization temperature of T _d = 400°C. These results show that the ceramic with x = 1% is a promising lead-free high-temperature piezoelectric material.     

Microstructure and Electrical Properties of K0.5Na0.5NbO3-LiSbO3-BiFeO3-x %molZnO Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics {0.996[(0.95(K_0.5Na_0.5)NbO₃-0.05LiSbO₃]-0.004BiFeO₃}-xmol%ZnO were prepared through a conventional ceramics sintering technique. The effect of ZnO content on structure, microstructure, and piezoelectric properties of KNN-LS-BF ceramics was investigated. The results reveal that ZnO as a sintering aid is very effective in promoting sinterability and electrical properties of the ceramics sintered at a low temperature of 1,020 °C. The ceramics show a single-perovskite structure with predominant tetragonal phase, and coexistence of orthorhombic and tetragonal phases is observed for x = 2.5–3.0. The addition of ZnO causes abnormal grain growth. A dense microstructure is also obtained at x = 2.0 because the relative density reaches up to 94.6 %. The morphotropic phase boundary and dense microstructure lead to significant enhancement of the piezoelectric properties. The ceramic with x = 1.5 exhibits optimum electrical properties as follows: d ₃₃ = 280 pC/N, k _p = 46 %, Q _m = 40.8, P _r = 25 μC/cm², E _c = 1.2 kV/mm, and T _c = 340 °C.     

MnO2-Modified Ba(Ti,Zr)O3 Ceramics with High Q m and Good Thermal Stability

MnO₂-modified Ba(Ti_0.9625Zr_0.0375)O₃ ceramics have been prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction technique at different sintering temperatures. Room-temperature piezoelectric properties, thermal stability, and crystalline structures were investigated. It was found that both the MnO₂ additive and sintering temperature significantly influence the piezoelectric properties of the MnO₂-modified Ba(Ti_0.9625Zr_0.0375)O₃ ceramics. The sample sintered at 1400°C exhibited the best room-temperature piezoelectric properties of Q _m = 1907, d ₃₃ = 205 pC/N, and k _p = 40.5% with tan δ = 0.46%, and its k _p remains larger than 35% in the broad temperature range from ?38°C to 65°C. The results indicate that MnO₂-modified Ba(Ti_0.9625Zr_0.0375)O₃ ceramics are promising lead-free materials for frequency device and power device applications.     

Effect of MnO2 Addition on the Electrical Properties of PNZST Ceramics

(Pb_0.99Nb_0.02)[(Zr_0.70Sn_0.30) _x Ti_1?x ]_0.98O₃ (PNZST) piezoelectric ceramics of pure perovskite structure were prepared by a conventional ceramic fabrication method, where x = 0.48–0.56. When x = 0.52, the ceramics exhibit a high piezoelectric coefficient (d ₃₃ ～ 490), but the mechanical quality factor (Q _m) is only 72. To increase the Q _m and not dramatically lower the d ₃₃, MnO₂ was chosen as the additive. The effects of adding MnO₂ on the sinterability, structure, and electrical properties of PNZST ceramics were investigated in detail. With a small addition of MnO₂ (≤0.6 wt.%), the Mn ions are homogeneously dissolved in the PNZST ceramic, leading to full densification when sintered at 1,300 °C. However, further addition of MnO₂ prevents densification, causing a high porosity and small grain size. The doping of MnO₂ transforms the phase structure from tetragonal to rhombohedral. The addition of MnO₂ up to a maximum of 0.6 wt.% remarkably improves the mechanical quality factor (Q _m) of PNZST ceramics, simultaneously as well as maintaining a high d ₃₃ and k _p. PNZST with 0.6 wt.% MnO₂ exhibits excellent electrical properties with piezoelectric coefficient d ₃₃ = 392 pC/N, electromechanical coupling factor k _p = 0.60, mechanical quality factor Q _m = 1,050, dielectric constant ε _r = 1,232, dielectric dissipation tanδ = 0.0058, and Curie temperature T _C = 300 °C.     

Effect of ZnO Nanoparticles on the Sintering Behavior and Physical Properties of Bi<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>(Na<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>K<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>)<Subscript>0.5</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Lead-Free Ceramics

Sintered Bi_0.5(Na_0.8K_0.2)_0.5TiO₃ + x wt.% ZnO nanoparticle (BNKT–xZnO_n) ceramics have been fabricated by conventional annealing with the aid of ultrasound waves for preliminary milling. Because of the presence of the liquid Bi₂O₃–ZnO phase at the eutectic point of 738°C, the sintering temperature decreased from 1150°C to 1000°C, and the morphology phase boundary of BNKT–xZnO_n ceramics can be clarified by two separated peaks at (002)_T and (200)_T of 2θ in the x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. The improvement of ferroelectric properties has been obtained for BNZT–0.2 wt.% ZnO_n ceramics by the increase of remanent polarization up to 20.4 μC/cm² and a decrease of electric coercive field down to 14.2 kV/cm. The piezoelectric parameters of the ceramic included a piezoelectric charge constant of d ₃₁ = 78 pC/N; electromechanical coupling factors k _p = 0.31 and k _t = 0.34, larger than the values of 42 pC/N, 0.12 and 0.13, respectively, were obtained for the BNKT ceramics.     

Temperature Stability of V2O5-Doped KNN-LS-BF Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics

V₂O₅-doped Na_0.5K_0.5NbO₃-LiSbO₃-BiFeO₃ (KNN-LS-BF) lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by the traditional sintering method, and their temperature stability was studied. Characterization of the temperature dependences of dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the V₂O₅-doped KNN-LS-BF ceramics showed that V₂O₅ doping could significantly improve the temperature stability in the temperature range of 30°C to 420°C and cause a downward shift in the orthorhombic–tetragonal phase transition to below room temperature. It was also found that the V₂O₅-doped KNN-LS-BF ceramics possess good dielectric and piezoelectric properties (ε _r > 1066, tan δ < 4%, d ₃₃ > 185 pC/N, k _p > 0.25) in the temperature range of 30°C to 300°C.     

Domain Engineering of Lead‐Free Li‐Modified (K,Na)NbO3 Polycrystals with Highly Enhanced Piezoelectricity

Aging and re‐poling induced enhancement of piezoelectricity are found in (K,Na)NbO₃ (KNN)‐based lead‐free piezoelectric ceramics. For a compositionally optimized Li‐doped composition, its piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃ can be increased up to 324 pC N^?1 even from a considerably high value (190 pC N^?1) by means of a re‐poling treatment after room‐temperature aging. Such a high d₃₃ value is only reachable in KNN ceramics with complicated modifications using Ta and Sb dopants. High‐angle X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals apparent changes in the crystallographic orientations related to a 90° domain switching before and after the aging and re‐poling process. A possible mechanism considering both defect migration and rotation of spontaneous polarization explains the experimental results. The present study provides a general approach towards piezoelectric response enhancement in KNN‐based piezoelectric ceramics.     

Grain Boundary Diffusion Hardening in Potassium Sodium Niobate-Based Ceramics with Full Gradient Composition and High Piezoelectricity

Reducing mechanical losses and suppressing self-heating are critical characteristics for high-power piezoelectric applications. For environmentally friendly Pb-free piezoelectric ceramics, traditional acceptor doping or annealing treatments have successfully improved the mechanical quality factor (Q_m) based on a ceramic matrix with a poor piezoelectric coefficient (d₃₃<100 pC/N). Nevertheless, a ceramic with high Q_m and d₃₃ values has not been reported owing to the inverse relationship between Q_m and d₃₃. Herein, a novel hardening method called grain boundary diffusion is used to develop Pb-free potassium sodium niobate ceramics, where Q_m increased by more than two-fold (from 51 to 132) and a high d₃₃ value (d₃₃ = 360 pC/N) is maintained. Significantly, d₃₃ retained 98% of its initial value after 180 days, exhibiting improved aging stability. The established properties are associated with the formation of the core-shell microstructure and the full gradient composition distribution using structural characterizations and phase-field simulations, where the core maintains a high d₃₃ and the shell provides a hardening effect. The novel hardening effect in piezoelectric materials, known as grain boundary diffusion hardening, highlights the enhancement of the mechanical quality factor with high piezoelectricity, providing a new paradigm for the design of functional materials.     

Effect of the Addition of B2O3 on the Density, Microstructure, Dielectric, Piezoelectric and Ferroelectric Properties of K0.5Na0.5NbO3 Ceramics

Boron oxide (B₂O₃) addition to pre-reacted K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃ (KNN) powders facilitated swift densification at relatively low sintering temperatures which was believed to be a key to minimize potassium and sodium loss. The base KNN powder was synthesized via solid-state reaction route. The different amounts (0.1–1 wt%) of B₂O₃ were-added, and ceramics were sintered at different temperatures and durations to optimize the amount of B₂O₃ needed to obtain KNN pellets with highest possible density and grain size. The 0.1 wt% B₂O₃-added KNN ceramics sintered at 1,100 °C for 1 h exhibited higher density (97 %). Scanning electron microscopy studies confirmed an increase in average grain size with increasing B₂O₃ content at appropriate temperature of sintering and duration. The B₂O₃-added KNN ceramics exhibited improved dielectric and piezoelectric properties at room temperature. For instance, 0.1 wt% B₂O₃-added KNN ceramic exhibited d ₃₃ value of 116 pC/N which is much higher than that of pure KNN ceramics. Interestingly, all the B₂O₃-added (0.1–1 wt%) KNN ceramics exhibited polarization–electric field (P vs. E) hysteresis loops at room temperature. The remnant polarization (P _r) and coercive field (E _c) values are dependent on the B₂O₃ content and crystallite size.     

High‐Performance [001]c‐Textured PNN‐PZT Relaxor Ferroelectric Ceramics for Electromechanical Coupling Devices

[001]_C‐Textured 0.55Pb(Ni_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–0.15PbZrO₃–0.3PbTiO₃ (PNN‐PZT) ceramics are prepared by the templated grain‐growth method using BaTiO₃ (BT) platelet templates. Samples with different template contents are fabricated and compared in terms of texture fraction, microstructure, and piezoelectric, ferroelectric and dielectric properties. High piezoelectric performance (d₃₃ = 1210 pC N^?1, d₃₃* = 1773 pm V^?1 at 5 kV cm^?1) and high figure of merit g₃₃?d₃₃ (21.92 × 10^?12 m² N^?1) are achieved in the [001]_C‐textured PNN‐PZT ceramic with 2 vol% BaTiO₃ template, for which the texture fraction is 82%. In addition, domain structures of textured PNN‐PZT ceramics are observed and analyzed, which provide clues to the origin of the giant piezoelectric and electromechanical coupling properties of PNN‐PZT ceramics.     

Solid-state synthesis of modified (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3 piezoelectric nanocrystalline ceramics and evaluating their properties

The piezoelectric nanocrystalline ceramics of (Bi_0.5Na_0.5) TiO₃, 0.94(Bi_0.5Na_0.5) TiO₃–0.06BaTiO₃, 0.82(Bi_0.5Na_0.5) TiO₃–0.18(Bi_0.5K_0.5) TiO₃ and 0.85(Bi_0.5Na_0.5) TiO₃–0.144(Bi_0.5K_0.5)TiO₃–0.006BaTiO₃ (abbreviated as BNT, BNBT6, BNKT18 and BNT–BT–BKT, respectively) have been synthesized by a modified solid state approach using high-energy planetary ball-milling. The crystal structures of ceramics were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) method and that the microstructures as well as the morphology of the sintered ceramic specimens were observed using scanning-electron microscopy (SEM). The dielectric coefficient was also calculated based on its relation with a constant capacitance measured by an electrical circuit on the basis of the Wetston–Bridge and the piezoelectric coefficient (d₃₃) measured with a d₃₃-meter. On the calcination of powders the XRD results showed that the perovskite phase was formed perfectly and the crystallite sizes of BNT, BNBT6, BNKT18 and BNT–BT–BKT were estimated at about >100, 55, 36 and 63 nm, respectively. Also, the crystallite sizes of the calcinated BNT powders over the course of 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 h of ball-milling were estimated at about 86, 82, 72, 53, 81 nm, respectively. Moreover, the results of XRD and SEM analysis of the sintered powders at 750–1150 °C confirmed the positive effect of nanocrystalline formation during ball-milling in decreasing the sintering temperature and increasing the density of the sintered samples. Furthermore, electrical calculations such as dielectric and piezoelectric coefficients showed that the modified BNKT18 nanocrystalline ceramic sintered at 1150 °C was to have the best values of dielectric (ε_r=792 at 1 kHz) and piezoelectric coefficients (d₃₃=85.9 pC/N) in comparison with the other synthesized piezoelectric ceramics.     

Piezoelectric and Dielectric Properties of Nonstoichiometric (Na0.5K0.5)0.97(Nb0.90Ta0.1)O3 Ceramics Doped with MnO2

MnO₂-added nonstoichiometric (K_0.5Na_0.5)_0.97(Nb_0.90Ta_0.1)O₃ lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by conventional sintering processes. X-ray diffraction data show that MnO₂ diffuses into the lattice of (K_0.5Na_0.5)_0.97 (Nb_0.90Ta_0.1)O₃ ceramics and forms a pure perovskite structure with orthorhombic symmetry. The microstructure of the samples showed that a certain amount of MnO₂ addition could improve the crystalline grain growth. The addition of a small amount of MnO₂ increased the mechanical quality factor (Q _m), piezoelectric constant (d ₃₃), and electromechanical coupling factor (k _p). At room temperature, (K_0.5Na_0.5)_0.97(Nb_0.90Ta_0.1)O₃ ceramics doped with 0.4?mol% MnO₂ showed piezoelectric properties suitable for low-loss piezoelectric actuator applications: k _p?=?0.43, Q _m?=?1212, d ₃₃?=?112?pC/N, and tan?δ?=?0.023.     

低声阻抗0—3型PZT/PT/PVDF压电复合材料的研制

压电陶瓷材料的高声阻抗制约着其在水听器和超声成像方面的应用。为了对压电陶瓷材料的声阻抗和声速进行调节,本研究以聚偏氟乙烯(PVDF)及钛酸铅(PT)和锆钛酸铅(PZT)压电陶瓷粉体为原料,经过流延、热压等工艺制得了4种含有不同量PT及PZT的0—3型PZT/PT/PVDF压电复合材料。研究了所制压电复合材料的声学、压电和介电性能。结果表明:所制压电复合材料的声阻抗均小于140 MPa.s/m,最优压电应变常数d33达43 pC/N,相对介电常数为185～210,介质损耗约为2×10–2。     

The Effects of Ta Substitution and K/Na Ratio Variation on the Microstructure and Properties of (K,Na)NbO3-Based Lead Free Piezoelectric Ceramics

[(Na_0.5+y K_0.5?y )_0.94Li_0.06][(Nb_0.94Sb_0.06)_1?x Ta _x ]O₃ + 0.08 mol% MnO₂ lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were fabricated successfully by a conventional solid-state reaction method. The effects of Ta⁵⁺ substitution and K/Na ratio variation on the microstructure and properties of the ceramics have been systematically investigated. With the increasing of Ta⁵⁺ substitution content, the orthorhombic–tetragonal transition temperature T _o–t presents obvious “V” type variation while the Curie temperature T _c decreases monotonically. The ceramics properties were further enhanced by adjusting the Na/K ratio of the A-site. Under systematical optimization of the A-site and B-site elements, good overall electrical properties of d ₃₃ = 276 pC/N, k _p = 44.5%, ε ₃₃ ^T /ε ₀ = 1,175, tanδ = 0.027, T _c = 309 °C, P _r = 21.0 μC/cm², and E _c = 1.14 kV/mm were obtained for ceramics with Ta⁵⁺ content x of 0.05 and Na/K ratio of 57/43 (y = 0.07).     

Piezoelectric effect in GaAs nanowires

The anomalous piezoelectric effect in GaAs nanowires was detected (the piezoelectric module d ₃₃ ≈ 26 pC/N). This result can be explained by the dominant content of the phase with the wurtzite-type crystal structure in GaAs nanowires and an increased pressing force on the contact layer.     

Effect of Zr4+ Content on the Grain Growth,Dielectric Relaxation Behavior,and Ferroelectric Properties of Ba0.4Sr0.6Ti1−x Zr x O3 Nano-Ceramics Prepared by Different Methods Assisted by Fast Microwave Sintering

The effect of Zr⁴⁺ content on the grain growth, dielectric relaxation, and piezoelectric properties of Ba_0.4Sr_0.6Ti_1?x Zr _x O₃ (BSTZ; x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06) ceramics prepared by solid-state (SS) and sol–gel modified hydrothermal (SH) methods assisted by fast microwave sintering was investigated in this study. A combination of x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), impedance analysis, and ferroelectric analysis was used. All the ceramics had pure perovskite structures at room temperature, as seen from XRD patterns, indicating that Zr⁴⁺ was incorporated into Ba_0.4Sr_0.6TiO₃ lattices to form a solid solution. In the SEM micrographs, SH samples had higher densities and smaller and more homogeneous grain size than SS samples, which was in agreement with density measurements. Nano-ceramics were obtained by this method. When the temperature dependence of dielectric constant and dielectric loss was studied, SH samples had higher permittivity, better thermally activated relaxation, and lower dielectric loss at high temperature. Ferroelectric characteristics can still be detected in Ba_0.4Sr_0.6Ti_1?x Zr _x O₃ ceramics and residual polarization (P _r) decreased with increasing Zr⁴⁺ content.     

Effects of Ta2O5/Y2O3 Codoping on the Microstructure and Microwave Dielectric Properties of Ba(Co0.56Zn0.40)1/3Nb2/3O3 Ceramics

The effects of Ta₂O₅/Y₂O₃ codoping on the microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of Ba(Co_0.56Zn_0.40)_1/3Nb_2/3O₃-xA-xB (A = 0.045 wt.% Ta₂O₅; B = 0.113 wt.% Y₂O₃) ceramics (x = 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32) prepared according to the conventional solid-state reaction technique were investigated. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that the main crystal phase in the sintered ceramics was BaZn_0.33Nb_0.67O₃-Ba₃CoNb₂O₉. The additional surface phase of Ba₈CoNb₆O₂₄ and trace amounts of Ba₅Nb₄O₁₅ second phase were present when Ta₂O₅/Y₂O₃ was added to the ceramics. The 1:2 B-site cation ordering was affected by the substitution of Ta⁵⁺ and Y³⁺ in the crystal lattice, especially for x = 4. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the optimally doped ceramics sintered at 1340°C for 20 h showed a compact microstructure with crystal grains in dense contact. Though the dielectric constant increased with the x value, appropriate addition would result in a tremendous modification of the Q × f and τ _f values. Excellent microwave dielectric properties (ε _r = 35.4, Q × f = 62,993 GHz, and τ _f  = 2.6 ppm/°C) were obtained for the ceramic with x = 0.4 sintered in air at 1340°C for 20 h.     

Giant Piezoelectricity of Ternary Perovskite Ceramics at High Temperatures

Here, novel ferroelectric ceramics of (0.95 ? x)BiScO₃‐xPbTiO₃‐0.05Pb(Sn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ (BS‐xPT‐PSN) of complex perovskite structure are reported with compositions near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), and which exhibit a piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃ = 555 pC N^?1, a large‐signal coefficient $d_{33}^{?}$ ≈ 1200 pm V^?1 at room temperature, and a high Curie temperature T_C of 408 °C. More interestingly, this ternary system exhibits a giant and stable piezoelectric response at 200 °C with a large‐signal $d_{33}^{?}$ ≈ 2500 pm V^?1, matching that of the costly relaxor‐based piezoelectric single crystals at room temperature. The mechanisms of such giant piezoelectricity and its characteristic temperature dependence are attributed to the spontaneous polarization rotation and extension under an electric field and the MPB‐related phase transition. The findings reveal that the BS‐xPT‐PSN ceramics constitute a new family of high‐performance piezoelectric materials suitable for electromechanical transducers that can be operated at high temperatures (at 200 °C, or higher).     

BiFeO_3改性Bi_(1/2)Na_(1/2)TiO_3-BaTiO_3基陶瓷电性能

采用固相反应法制备了新型(0.95–x)Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3-0.05BaTiO3-xBiFeO3(x=0~0.09)系无铅压电陶瓷,研究了BiFeO3掺杂量对其晶体结构、介电及压电性能的影响。结果表明:在所研究的组成范围内陶瓷均能形成纯钙钛矿型固溶体。介温曲线(10kHz)显示该陶瓷体系具有明显的弥散相变特征。该陶瓷体系的压电性能较Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3-BaTiO3陶瓷(d33=125pC/N)有较大提高,当x=0.05时,具有最佳的压电性能:d33=142pC/N,kp=0.29;此时εr=891,tanδ=0.046,Qm=110。     

高性能铌酸钾钠无铅压电陶瓷研制

用常规氧化物固溶方法制备了无铅压电铌酸盐((Na0.5K0.5)1-xLixSbyNb1-yO3)陶瓷。实验结果表明,Li+和Sb5+的引入提高了陶瓷的压电性能。在一定配比范围内(Li和Sb在10%摩尔分数以内),材料为斜方、四方相共存的钙钛矿结构,材料的压电常数d33在270 pC/N以上,机电耦合系数kp、kt、k33分别达到49×10–2、43×10–2、64×10–2。介质损耗tgδ小于2.0×10_2,居里温度tC高达375℃。