Dielectric and electromechanical properties of rare earth calcium oxyborate piezoelectric crystals at high temperatures

The electrical resistivity, dielectric, and electromechanical properties of ReCa₄O(BO₃)₃ (ReCOB; Re = Er, Y, Gd, Sm, Nd, Pr, and La) piezoelectric crystals were investigated as a function of temperature up to 1000°C. Of the studied crystals, ErCOB and YCOB were found to possess extremely high resistivity (ρ): ρ > 3 × 10 ⁷ Ω·cm at 1000°C. The property variation in ReCOB crystals is discussed with respect to their disordered structure. The highest electromechanical coupling factor k₂₆ and piezoelectric coefficient d₂₆ at 1000°C, were achieved in PrCOB crystals, with values being on the order of 24.7% and 13.1 pC/N, respectively. The high thermal stability of the electromechanical properties, with variation less than 25%, together with the low dielectric loss (<46%) and high mechanical quality factor (>1500) at elevated temperatures of 1000°C, make ErCOB, YCOB, and GdCOB crystals promising for ultrahigh temperature electromechanical applications.