Abstract
Recent advances in the development of novel methods for the local characterization of ferroelectric domains open up new opportunities not only to image, but also to control and to create desired domain configurations (domain engineering). The morphotropic and polymorphic phase boundaries that are frequently used to increase the electromechanical and dielectric performance of ferroelectric ceramics have a tremendous effect on the domain structure, which can serve as a signature of complex polarization states and link local and macroscopic piezoelectric and dielectric responses. This is especially important for the study of lead-free ferroelectric ceramics, which is currently replacing traditional lead-containing materials, and great efforts are devoted to increasing their performance to match that of lead zirconate titanate (PZT). In this work, we provide a short overview of the recent progress in the imaging of domain structure in two major families of ceramic lead-free systems based on BiFeO3 (BFO) and (Ka0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (KNN). This can be used as a guideline for the understanding of domain processes in lead-free piezoelectric ceramics and provide further insight into the mechanisms of structure–property relationship in these technologically important material families.
Highlights
Piezoelectric materials exhibit a unique ability to expand under external electric field or to develop a charge under applied mechanical stress, combining high coupling coefficients with exceptional stability and low cost
Taking recent progress in domain visualization [8,9] and structure refining into account, we believe that the review on the domain-related properties of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics such as BFO and KNbO3 with NaNbO3 (KNN) solid solutions is quite timely and can be useful for the specialists working in this field
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can be used for the imaging of domains, domain walls, and local this method is provided by different mechanisms, such as the scattering of high energy electrons phase distribution in different piezoelectric ceramics, including BFO and KNN [69,70]
Summary
Piezoelectric materials exhibit a unique ability to expand under external electric field or to develop a charge under applied mechanical stress, combining high coupling coefficients with exceptional stability and low cost. Similar to PZT, the properties of ceramics are governed by the domain structure and the grain morphology, which are in turn determined by the defect transport and controlled by the sintering method Such complex interplay of the physical and chemical properties of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics has been recently rationalized in terms of domain wall conductivity and the diffusion of charged defects [7]. Taking recent progress in domain visualization [8,9] and structure refining into account, we believe that the review on the domain-related properties of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics such as BFO and KNN solid solutions is quite timely and can be useful for the specialists working in this field. We will overview the current status of domain studies in BFO and KNN ceramics, and will end with an analysis of the effect of domain structure on the physical properties of ceramics, such as switching behavior and dielectric constant
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