Enhanced piezoelectric activity and temperature stability of [1 1 1]-oriented orthorhombic 0.68Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.32PbTiO3 single crystals by domain size engineering

Abstract

The dielectric and piezoelectric properties of [1 1 1]-oriented orthorhombic Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 (PMN–PT) single crystals (3O multi-domain state) with various domain sizes were investigated by poling control. The free dielectric permittivity (e33T/e0) and longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient (d33) were 6400 and 900 pC N−1, respectively, for samples with domain sizes of ∼2 μm, nearly twice that of ∼20 μm. Together with good temperature stability (Δd33/d33(25°C)Δd33/d33(25°C) <8%) up to the orthorhombic–tetragonal phase transition temperature, the “3O” PMN–PT crystals with fine domain structures are promising candidate for sensors and transducers.