Concurrently enhanced piezoelectric performance and curie temperature in stressed lead-free Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 ceramics

Abstract Eco-friendly, lead-free BaTiO3-based piezoelectrics are critical for sustainable electronics, but improving their piezoelectric properties often compromises Curie temperature (T C). To address this trade-off, we implemented an innovative stress engineering approach by introducing a secondar...

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Main Authors: Yuanhui Su, Qingying Wang, Yu Huan, Jianli Wang, Wei Sun, Yongjun Li, Tao Wei, Zhenxiang Cheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59311-2
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author Yuanhui Su
Qingying Wang
Yu Huan
Jianli Wang
Wei Sun
Yongjun Li
Tao Wei
Zhenxiang Cheng
author_facet Yuanhui Su
Qingying Wang
Yu Huan
Jianli Wang
Wei Sun
Yongjun Li
Tao Wei
Zhenxiang Cheng
author_sort Yuanhui Su
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Eco-friendly, lead-free BaTiO3-based piezoelectrics are critical for sustainable electronics, but improving their piezoelectric properties often compromises Curie temperature (T C). To address this trade-off, we implemented an innovative stress engineering approach by introducing a secondary phase BaAl2O4 in Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 (BCTZ) ceramics. The thermal expansion mismatch between BCTZ and BaAl2O4 induces internal stress within the BCTZ matrix, causing significant lattice distortion and phase fraction modulation, which improves both T C and the piezoelectric coefficient (d 33). Additionally, the local electric field and Al3+ doping in ABO3 lattice further enhance d 33. Optimized BCTZ ceramics achieve d 33 of 650 ± 16 pC N−1, d 33 * of 1070 pm V−1, and T C of 96.5 ± 1.0 °C, placing them at the forefront of lead-free BaTiO3-based piezoelectrics. This study underscores the effectiveness of bulk stress engineering via a secondary phase for enhancing lead-free piezoelectric ceramics, paving the way for developing high-performance piezoelectric ceramics suitable for broad temperature applications.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2041-1723
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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spelling doaj-art-89a34d562dab4dd79131e57cb4e0c3352025-08-20T02:10:53ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-04-0116111110.1038/s41467-025-59311-2Concurrently enhanced piezoelectric performance and curie temperature in stressed lead-free Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 ceramicsYuanhui Su0Qingying Wang1Yu Huan2Jianli Wang3Wei Sun4Yongjun Li5Tao Wei6Zhenxiang Cheng7School of Material Science and Engineering, University of JinanSchool of Material Science and Engineering, University of JinanSchool of Material Science and Engineering, University of JinanInstitute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong Innovation CampusShandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Preparation and Measurement of Building Materials, University of JinanBruker (Beijing) Scientific Technology Co. LtdSchool of Material Science and Engineering, University of JinanInstitute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Wollongong Innovation CampusAbstract Eco-friendly, lead-free BaTiO3-based piezoelectrics are critical for sustainable electronics, but improving their piezoelectric properties often compromises Curie temperature (T C). To address this trade-off, we implemented an innovative stress engineering approach by introducing a secondary phase BaAl2O4 in Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 (BCTZ) ceramics. The thermal expansion mismatch between BCTZ and BaAl2O4 induces internal stress within the BCTZ matrix, causing significant lattice distortion and phase fraction modulation, which improves both T C and the piezoelectric coefficient (d 33). Additionally, the local electric field and Al3+ doping in ABO3 lattice further enhance d 33. Optimized BCTZ ceramics achieve d 33 of 650 ± 16 pC N−1, d 33 * of 1070 pm V−1, and T C of 96.5 ± 1.0 °C, placing them at the forefront of lead-free BaTiO3-based piezoelectrics. This study underscores the effectiveness of bulk stress engineering via a secondary phase for enhancing lead-free piezoelectric ceramics, paving the way for developing high-performance piezoelectric ceramics suitable for broad temperature applications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59311-2
spellingShingle Yuanhui Su
Qingying Wang
Yu Huan
Jianli Wang
Wei Sun
Yongjun Li
Tao Wei
Zhenxiang Cheng
Concurrently enhanced piezoelectric performance and curie temperature in stressed lead-free Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 ceramics
Nature Communications
title Concurrently enhanced piezoelectric performance and curie temperature in stressed lead-free Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 ceramics
title_full Concurrently enhanced piezoelectric performance and curie temperature in stressed lead-free Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 ceramics
title_fullStr Concurrently enhanced piezoelectric performance and curie temperature in stressed lead-free Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 ceramics
title_full_unstemmed Concurrently enhanced piezoelectric performance and curie temperature in stressed lead-free Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 ceramics
title_short Concurrently enhanced piezoelectric performance and curie temperature in stressed lead-free Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.9Zr0.1O3 ceramics
title_sort concurrently enhanced piezoelectric performance and curie temperature in stressed lead free ba0 85ca0 15ti0 9zr0 1o3 ceramics
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59311-2
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