Origins of the large piezoelectric response of samarium-doped lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate ceramics.

Arzenšek, Matija; Toš, Urh; Drnovšek, Silvo; Dragomir, Mirela; Uršič, Hana; Otoničar, Mojca; Jankauskas, Paulius; Svirskas, Šarūnas et al. · Sci Adv · 2024

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The recent discovery of the large piezoelectric response of Pb(Mg<sub>1/3</sub>Nb<sub>2/3</sub>)O<sub>3</sub>-PbTiO<sub>3</sub> (PMN-PT) ceramics induced by samarium doping has provided a substantially improved functionality to the group of lead-based relaxor-ferroelectric materials. Different mechanisms have been so far proposed for the large piezoelectricity; however, the explanations are contradictory and focused on a unified description. Here, we use nonlinear harmonic piezoelectric measurements combined with multiscale structural analysis to clarify the origins of the ultrahigh piezoelectric response of samarium-doped PMN-PT. Our methodological approach allowed us to separate the multiple piezoelectric contributions, revealing their quantitative role in the total response. The results show that the ultrahigh piezoelectricity cannot be attributed to a single mechanism but is rather a complex combination of different contributions originating from the multiple effects of samarium doping on the long- and short-range structure of PMN-PT. The study offers a baseline for future engineering of the key material parameters affecting the large piezoelectric response of relaxor-ferroelectric ceramics.