Ultrahigh piezoelectricity and temperature stability in piezoceramics by synergistic design.

Liu, Wenbin; Zheng, Ting; Zhou, Zhangyang; Ding, Yi; Qin, Yue; Fu, Zhengqian; Ruan, Xuezheng; Gao, Zhipeng et al. · Nat Commun · 2025

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Piezoceramics with both high piezoelectric properties and broad temperature usage range are highly in demand for sensor and actuator applications. Unfortunately, the trade-off relationship between two properties poses a significant challenge that remains unresolved. Herein, through combined phase boundary engineering and process engineering, we report the simultaneous achievements of substantially enhanced piezoelectric coefficient d<sub>33</sub> (from 784 pC/N to 855 pC/N) and piezoelectric strain d<sub>33</sub>* (from 620 pm/V to 860 pm/V), and ultrahigh temperature stability (i.e., d<sub>33</sub> and d<sub>33</sub>* change less than 7.3% and 4.6% over 25-175 °C, respectively) in Pb<sub>0.92</sub>Ba<sub>0.08</sub>[Zr<sub>0.50+x</sub>Ti<sub>0.48-x</sub>(Nb<sub>0.5</sub>Sb<sub>0.5</sub>)<sub>0.02</sub>]O<sub>3</sub> (x = 0.4) ceramics, superior to those of other typical piezoceramics. The enhanced piezoelectricity and excellent temperature stability are attributed to three synergistic effects, namely, morphotropic phase boundary concomitant with nano-domains, reduced pores, and inhibited oxygen vacancies. Therefore, our proposed strategy provides a new paradigm to boost both piezoelectricity and its temperature stability and is beneficial to both academia and industry.