journal article·2026-06Open access

Li + and Nb 5+ codoped BNT-based ceramic with ultrahigh electrostrain under a moderate electric field

Zhengxiu Ma, Weiye Nie, Mingze Sun, Peng Li, Lidan Liu, Baoming Wang, Wenwu Cao

Journal of Advanced Ceramics· Volume 15· Issue 6

Abstract

Abstract Lead-free piezoceramics have been an important research topic over the past two decades, aiming to replace Pb-based piezoceramics for sensor and actuator applications. In this study, LiNbO3 (LN) doping was employed in (1−x)Bi1/2(Na0.8K0.2)1/2Ti0.99Nb0.01O3–xLN ceramics near its morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). The composition with x = 0.02 exhibits a remarkable unipolar strain (Suni) response, achieving a high Suni of 0.57% and a large piezoelectric strain coefficient (d33*) of 952 pm/V under a moderate electric field of 60 kV/cm. This enhancement originates from local disorder induced by cosubstitutions at the A and B sites, which facilitates a transition from a nonergodic relaxor (NER) to an ergodic relaxor (ER) state. Comprehensive analysis indicates that the overall performance in electrostrain surpasses that of most reported lead-free ceramics. By investigating the state of polar nanoregions, including thermal evolution and the electric-field-induced phase transition, the mechanisms underlying the macroscopic strain response to the LN content have been revealed, providing valuable guidance for designing high-performance lead-free relaxor ferroelectrics for sensor and actuator applications.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Materials · Dielectric materials and actuators · Multiferroics and related materials

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

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