Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3-based ceramics with increased depolarization temperature and piezoelectric coefficient

Sodium bismuth titanate-based materials are expected to be an alternative candidate to lead-based ceramic materials due to their excellent electrical properties. However, the low depolarization temperature (Td) limits their practical application. In this work, the phase structure evolution and microstructure of 0.9(0.4Na(1/2)Bi(1/2)TiO(3)-0.6BiFeO(3))-0.1BaTiO(3): xZnO (x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.07) (abbreviated as 100xZnO) composite ceramics are investigated, and their piezoelectric properties are improved by combination of constructing 0-3 type composites and quenching treatment technology. The addition of ZnO can increase both Td and d33 because ZnO can enhance the lattice distortion of rhombohedral phase and lead to the increase in ferroelectric order. Specifically, the optimum composition x = 0.03 obtains the d33 value of 106 pC/N (25degree celsius), which retains 84% of the value at room temperature up to 240degree celsius. And the quenching technology further enhances the ferroelectric order and increases T-d, which is up to 280degree celsius for x = 0.03.