Domain-size dependence of piezoelectric properties of ferroelectrics

The domain-size dependence of the piezoelectric properties of ferroelectrics is investigated using a continuum Ginzburg-Landau model that incorporates long-range elastic and electrostatic interactions. Microstructures with the desired domain sizes are created by quenching from the paraelectric phase by biasing the initial conditions. Three different two-dimensional microstructures with different sizes of the 90° domains are simulated. An electric field is applied along the polar as well as nonpolar directions and the piezoelectric response is simulated as a function of domain size for both cases. The simulations show that the piezoelectric coefficients are enhanced by reducing the domain size, consistent with recent experimental results of Wada and Tsurumi [Br. Ceram. Trans. 103, 93 (2004)] on domain-engineered BaTiO3 single crystals.