Hierarchical domain structure of lead-free piezoelectric (Na1/2 Bi1/2)TiO3-(K1/2 Bi1/2)TiO3 single crystals

Abstract

We report a unique hierarchical domain structure in single crystals of (Na1/2Bi1/2)TiO3-xat. %(K1/2Bi1/2)TiO3 for x = 5 and 8 by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A high density of polar nano-domains with a lamellar morphology was found, which were self-assembled into a quadrant-like configuration, which then assembled into conventional ferroelectric macro-domains. Studies by high resolution TEM revealed that the polar lamellar regions contained a coexistence of in-phase and anti-phase oxygen octahedral tilt regions of a few nanometers in size. Domain frustration over multiple length scales may play an important role in the stabilization of the hierarchy, and in reducing the piezoelectric response of this Pb-free piezoelectric solid solution.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
May 04, 2016
Source ID
10.1063/1.4948478

Entities

People

  • Chengtao Luo
  • D. Viehland
  • Haosu Luo
  • Jiefang Li
  • Olivier Delaire
  • Wenwei Ge
  • Xiaobin Li
  • Yaojin Wang

Organizations

  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • Office of Naval Research
  • Shanghai Institute of Ceramics
  • Virginia Tech

Tags

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Materials Science and Engineering.
  • Nanocomposite Materials Science

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Graphene
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems