The Contributions of Polar Nanoregions to the Dielectric and Piezoelectric Responses in Domain-Engineered Relaxor-PbTiO3 Crystals

Fei Li, Shujun Zhang, Zhuo Xu, Long Qing Chen

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172 Scopus citations

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 languageEnglish (US)
Article number1700310
JournalAdvanced Functional Materials
Volume27
Issue number18
DOIs
StatePublished - May 11 2017

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • General Chemistry
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • General Materials Science
  • Electrochemistry
  • Biomaterials

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