Displacement of Ta-O bonds near polymorphic phase transition in Li-, Ta-, and Sb-modified (K, Na)NbO3 ceramics

Abstract

Excellent piezoelectric properties can be obtained near the polymorphic phase transition (PPT) region in (K, Na)NbO3 based piezoceramics. The enhanced piezoelectric properties resulted from the 18-fold spontaneous polarization directions caused by the coexistence of orthorhombic and tetragonal phases. In this study, the various polarization directions derived from frequently changing Ta-O bonds in Li-, Ta-, and Sb-modified (K, Na)NbO3 ceramic were directly observed by extended X-ray absorption fine structure. More than three peaks were observed and represented the nearest neighbor Ta-O bonds because of the coexistence of tetragonal and orthorhombic phases as well as Ta displacements along the [001]c and [110]c directions. Hence, the domains rotated easily and responded actively to an external electric or force field. Large Pr and optimized piezoelectric properties were obtained near the PPT region.