Growth, Structure, and characterization of new High-TC Piezo-/Ferroelectric Bi(Zn2/3Ta1/3)O3-PbTiO3 single crystals

Abstract

In this work, new bismuth-based complex perovskite piezo-/ferroelectric single crystals of the (1-x)PbTiO3-xBi(Zn2/3Ta1/3)O3 solid solution have been successfully grown by the high temperature solution method (HTSG). The crystal structure was found to be tetragonal at room temperature by means of structural analysis by X-ray diffraction and domain examination by polarized light microscopy (PLM). High Curie temperature (TC = 470 °C) was determined by dielectric measurements and PLM observations. Band-like domain structures were observed in the (001)-oriented single crystal with a width of 100–200 µm. Good piezoelectric performance (d33 = 251 pC/N) and high coercive field (EC = 30 kV/cm) were found by the piezoelectric and ferroelectric characterizations. Detailed crystal structural refinement was performed to establish the structure–property relationship in this system. Comparative studies of current bismuth-based complex perovskite solid solution single crystals point to the advantages of the Bi(Zn2/3Ta1/3)O3-PbTiO3 single crystals in terms of high TC, good piezoelectric performance, and high coercive field. These advantages make this piezo-crystal system a favourable candidate for potential high-temperature and high-power electromechanical applications.