Large Electric Field-Induced Strain Response Under a Low Electric Field in Lead-Free Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3-SrTiO3-BiAlO3 Ternary Piezoelectric Ceramics

Bismuth-based lead-free ceramics are some of the most promising candidates for actuator applications due to their large strain response. Despite the large strains in bismuth-based piezoelectric ceramics, there still remain challenges regarding their utilization in practical applications. For instance, a relatively high operating field is required to obtain the large strain properties. In this work, lead-free Bi1/2Na1/2TiO3-SrTiO3-BiAlO3 (BNT-ST-BA) ternary piezoelectric ceramics are proposed as materials that could enhance the electromechanical strain performance under low driving field. We found that the highest normalized strain d33* value of 707 pm/V was achieved at a relatively low electric field of 3 kV/mm from 2 mol.% BA-modified BNT-ST ceramics. We suggest that the naturally induced nonergodicities in the ergodic relaxor generate internal stress. This induced internal stress is responsible for the excellent strain properties of this material. We believe that the materials synthesized in this study are promising candidates for actuator applications.