Enhanced Electrical Properties of Quenched (1 – x)Bi1–ySmyFeO3–xBiScO3 Lead-Free Ceramics

In this work, the (1 – x)Bi1–ySmyFeO3–xBiScO3 lead-free ceramics were prepared by the rapid thermal quenching technique, and the effects of compositions and preparation processes on their phase structure, microstructure, and electrical properties were investigated. By tuning the compositions, a high d33 of ∼51 pC/N and a low dielectric loss of ∼0.25% can be attained in the ceramics with x = 0.05 and y = 0.05, which is superior to the previously reported results. In addition, a saturated P–E loop with a Pr of 14.2 μC/cm2 and an EC of 53.1 kV/cm can be witnessed in the ceramics with x = 0.05 and y = 0. By studying the relationships between d33 and different sintering methods, we can find that the quenching method can effectively promote the piezoelectricity of the ceramics. As a result, the systematic investigations on the (1 – x)Bi1–ySmyFeO3–xBiScO3 ceramics can benefit the developments of bismuth ferrite materials in the field of high-temperature piezoelectrics.