Abstract
The existence of polar nanoregions is the most important characteristic of relaxor-based ferroelectric materials. Recently, the contributions of polar nanoregions to the shear piezoelectric property of relaxor-PbTiO3 (PT) crystals are confirmed in a single domain state, accounting for 50%–80% of room temperature values. For electromechanical applications, however, the outstanding longitudinal piezoelectricity in domain-engineered relaxor-PT crystals is of the most significance. In this paper, the contributions of polar nanoregions to the longitudinal properties in [001]-poled Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.30PbTiO3 and [110]-poled Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.15PbTiO3 (PZN-0.15PT) domain-engineered crystals are studied. Taking the [110]-poled tetragonal PZN-0.15PT crystal as an example, phase-field simulations of the domain structures and the longitudinal dielectric/piezoelectric responses are performed. According to the experimental results and phase-field simulations, the contributions of polar nanoregions (PNRs) to the longitudinal properties of relaxor-PT crystals are successfully explained on the mesoscale, where the PNRs behave as “seeds” to facilitate macroscopic polarization rotation and enhance electric-field-induced strain. The results reveal the importance of local structures to the macroscopic properties, where a modest structural variation on the nanoscale greatly impacts the macroscopic properties.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 1700310 |
Journal | Advanced Functional Materials |
Volume | 27 |
Issue number | 18 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 11 2017 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- General Chemistry
- Condensed Matter Physics
- General Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Biomaterials