High electric field-induced strain properties in La-doped Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3–PbZrO3–PbTiO3 relaxor ferroelectric ceramics

Abstract

Piezoelectric ceramics with high strain response and low hysteresis are highly in demand for high-performance actuator applications. Unfortunately, the trade-off relationship between large field-induced strain and low hysteresis in piezoelectric ceramics is a key challenge for designing high-performance piezoelectric actuators. Herein, ymol%La-doped 0.10 Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3-xPbZrO3-(0.90–x)PbTiO3 [0.10PIN-xPZ-(0.90-x)PT: ymol%La] ternary relaxor ferroelectric ceramics were prepared by conventional solid-state reaction technique. Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3 (PIN) as a relaxor end member was introduced into (Pb,La) (Zr,Ti)O3 (PLZT) system to improve relaxor characteristics and strain properties. A giant strain of 0.23% was obtained in 0.10PIN-0.59PZ-0.31 PT: 8mol%La ceramic at the electric field of 20 kV/cm, with a high piezoelectric d33* of 1150 pm/V and low hysteresis Hy of 6.4%, exhibiting a potential application in high-performance piezoelectric actuators. Furthermore, the effects of La ion doping and components on the ferroelectric, dielectric and electric field-induced strain properties were investigated, and provides a new way for improve the strain properties of piezoelectric materials.