Lead-free Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 ferroelectric ceramics with refined microstructure and high strain under electric field by mechanosynthesis. Issue 12 (September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Amorín, Harvey; Venet, Michel; Chinarro, Eva; Ramos, Pablo; Algueró, Miguel; Castro, Alicia
• Is Part Of: Journal of the European Ceramic Society. Volume 42:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 4907
• Page End: 4916
• Publication Date: 2022-09
• Subjects: Lead-free ferroelectrics -- Piezoelectric ceramics -- BCZT -- Mechanosynthesis -- Electric-field-induced strain; Ceramic materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Matériaux céramiques -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Ceramic materials; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2022.04.061
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-2219

Abstract

Abstract: Lead-free ferroelectric Ba0.85 Ca0.15 Zr0.1 Ti0.9 O3 stands out among environmentally friendly alternatives to commercial Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 piezoceramics for its large piezoelectric coefficients, and it is especially suitable for applications in which thermal depoling is not an issue like bio-implanted devices. However, ceramic processing by conventional means consistently results in exaggerated grain growth, which compromises reliability and has prevented its transfer to industry. We report here the application of high-energy milling for the mechanosynthesis of nanocrystalline Ba0.85 Ca0.15 Zr0.1 Ti0.9 O3 powders with enhanced reactivity, and to the control of grain growth during ceramic processing to obtain materials with tailored microstructures and decreasing grain sizes down to the sub-10 µm range. Characterization of the electrical and electromechanical properties was accomplished and uncovered triggering of a new mechanism for very large strain under electric field in fine-grained ceramics. Process optimization by precursor selection and preliminary up-scaling studies are also presented.