Strain‐Induced Structural Phase Transition and its Effect on Piezoelectric Properties of (BZT‐BCT)‐(CeO2) Ceramics

Abstract

A strain‐induced structural phase transition and its subsequent effect on the piezoelectric properties of BZT‐BCT–x CeO2 (x = 0–0.1 wt%) ceramics have been reported in this manuscript. BZT‐BCT–x wt% CeO2 lead‐free piezoceramics were successfully been prepared using sol–gel method. X‐ray diffraction spectra of BZT‐BCT–x wt% CeO2 (x = 0–0.10 wt%) ceramics showed a purely single‐phase perovskite structure and a change in crystal structure between tetragonal and rhombohedral phases with increasing CeO2 content. The strain‐induced structural phase transition has resulted in excellent piezoelectric properties, d33 = 673 pC/N, kp ~ 56%, and Tc = 110°C for BZT‐BCT–0.08 wt% CeO2 ceramics. Greatly improved temperature stability of the piezoelectric properties has been observed over a temperature range between 20°C and 90°C. The ferroelectric–paraelectric transition temperature, Tc obtained in this study is 17°C higher than those reported earlier.