Simultaneously enhanced piezoelectric response and Curie temperature in rhombohedral BS–PT ceramics by Zr doping

Abstract

This is the first study that proves that Curie temperature (Tc) and piezoelectric properties can be simultaneously improved in a (1-x)BiScO3-xPbTiO3 [(1-x)BS-xPT] system, which is different from the general rule that piezoelectric properties of the Pb-based piezoceramics always increase at the expense of Tc. The lead-poor 0.39BS-0.61PT composition was chosen as the parent material beyond the morphotropic phase boundary. The Zr-doping effects on the structure and properties of ceramics were investigated. With the ZrO2 increment, the single rhombohedral phase was gradually transformed into the tetragonal + rhombohedral + monoclinic multiphase coexistence. The piezoelectric coefficient (d33) was increased to 436 pC/N, which was 68% higher than that of the previously reported 260pC/N. More importantly, the Tc of ceramics also increased from 410 °C to 440 °C with the ZrO2 increment. Our results suggest that a certain BS–PT composition may simultaneously yield excellent piezoelectric properties and a high Tc.