Optimizing piezoelectric performance of complex perovskite through increasing diversity of B-site cations

Abstract

Piezoelectric materials with unique properties are hugely appealing for high sensitivity sensors and ultrasonic transducers. Here, Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3-Pb(Yb1/2Nb1/2)O3-PbTiO3 piezoelectric system was designed and investigated in detail. The optimized piezoelectric response (d33 = 826 pC/N, d33* = 1017 pm/V) together with good temperature stability and negligible performance degradation up to 106 cycles was achieved in 0.58PNN-0.10PYN-0.32PT composition. Rayleigh analysis revealed the amplification of intrinsic and extrinsic contributions in MPB region due to more spontaneous polarization orientations and an increase in chemical disorder of system after the introduction of PYN. The origin of high piezoelectric response was investigated through the combination of scanning electron microscopy and piezoresponse force microscopy. The diversity of B-site cations was shown to enhance local structural heterogeneity, weaken long-range ferroelectric ordered domains, and lower free energy barrier via the formation of nanodomain configuration that promoted polarization rotation, thereby improving piezoelectric properties of the material. Therefore, it is suggested that increasing the diversity of B-site cations is an effective strategy for achieving outstanding piezoelectric performance.