Microstructure and Electrical Properties of (1− x )Bi(Li 1/3 Zr 2/3 )O 3 – x PbTiO 3 Piezoelectric Ceramics

A new type of BiMeO 3 –PbTiO 3 was prepared by using Li 1+ as part of the Me site cations. Several (1− x )Bi(Li,Me″)O 3 – x PbTiO 3 compositions were prepared with Me″ cations of a higher valence (Me″=Ti 4+ , Zr 4+ , Mn 4+ , Sn 4+ , Nb 5+ , and Ta 5+ ). (1− x )Bi(Li,Me″)O 3 – x PbTiO 3 exhibits a low solubility of Bi(Li,Me″)O 3 in PbTiO 3 . Although there are many possible compositions of (1− x )Bi(Li,Me″)O 3 – x PbTiO 3 , no morphotropic phase boundary was found. After the initial screening, (1− x )Bi(Li 1/3 Zr 2/3 )O 3 – x PbTiO 3 was identified as the most promising material for actuator applications due to its relatively large solubility limit ( x =0.7) and low lattice distortion ( c / a =1.036). It was then chosen for systematical study with respect to structure, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties. In addition, La was further added to improve the piezoelectric properties of (1− x )Bi(Li 1/3 Zr 2/3 )O 3 – x PbTiO 3 . The temperature dependence of 0.3Bi(Li 1/3 Zr 2/3 )O 3 −0.7PbTiO 3 and 0.3(Bi 0.9 La 0.1 )(Li 1/3 Zr 2/3 )O 3 −0.7PbTiO 3 was assessed by investigating the dielectric constant and large‐signal d 33 . 0.3Bi(Li 1/3 Zr 2/3 )O 3 −0.7PbTiO 3 exhibits a dielectric constant with a low loss (0.025), ferroelectric properties ( E C =5.9 kV/mm, P r =20.8 μC/cm 2 , and P sat =25.9 μC/cm 2 ), piezoelectric coefficients (small‐signal d 33 =78 pC/N and large‐signal d 33 =106 pm/V), and Curie temperature ( T C =290°C). La (10 mol%) substitution for Bi acts as a soft role with an enhanced d 33 (98 pC/N) and reduced T C (215°C).