Piezoelectric properties of langasite group based on the ionic size of cation

Abstract

As langasite A3BC3D2O14 compounds group with piezoelectric properties has no phase transition up to the melting point of 1400–1500°C, they have been applied for the combustion pressure sensor. As they also have a larger electromechanical coupling factor compared to quartz and nearly the same temperature stability as quartz, the surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters are expected based on the digital transformation of wider bandwidth and higher-bit rates. In the case of three-element compounds such as [R3]A[Ga]B[Ga3]C[GaSi]DO14 (R=La, Pr and Nd), the piezoelectric constant increases with the ionic radius R. In the case of four-element compounds such as [A3]A[B]B[Ga3]C[Si2]DO14 (A=Ca or Sr, B=Ta or Nb), |d11| and k12 values as a function of AL/BL ratio showed a linear relationship completely. There are two effects for the substitutions of A- and B-site cations: the substitution of Sr for Ca brings expansion toward [100] and enlargement in |d11| and k12. On the other hand, as the substitution of Ta for Nb brings not much change, the properties are similar. In this study, five-element compounds such as La3−xSrxTayGa5−x+ySi1+x−2yO14 (0≤x≤3, 0≤y≤1) solid solutions analysed by a single crystal X-ray diffraction are compared with the three- and four-element compounds on the coordinates of oxygen ions. As the coordinates positions are located on the extended line of coordinate positions on the three-element compounds as increasing ionic radius of R-ions in A-site, the piezoelectric properties |d11| and k12 are expected become large.