Lead-free Bi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3-modified 0.875Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-0.125BaTiO3 ferroelectric ceramics with tetragonal structure and large field-induced strains

A electrostrictive ceramics were designed by introducing Bi(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3 into 0.875Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-0.125BaTiO3 with tetragonal structure. All the specimens prepared by a conventional solid sintering technique exhibit the excellent sintering ability with a high relative density over 97%. It is found that, as BMT added, the specimens undergo a structure crossover from ferroelectric P4mm to ergodic P4bm, and the coexistence of both tetragonal structures takes bridge between them. A large field-induced strain of 0.30% and field-independent strain coefficient of 0.0254 m4/C2 occur at 4 mol.% BMT added. This material with excellent sinterability is suitable for the application in actuators and microposition controllers.