Enhanced ferroelectric and piezoelectric responses of (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.9)O3 ceramics by Tm3+ amphoteric substitution.

The influences of Tm3+ doping on the microstructure and electric properties of (Ba 0.85 Ca 0.15)(Zr 0.1 Ti 0.9)O 3 - x mol%Tm 2 O 3 (BCZT- x %Tm) ceramics fabricated by a solid-state method have been studied. BCZT ceramics was orthorhombic phase, and BCZT- x %Tm (x = 0.3–1) ceramics exhibited the coexistence of orthorhombic and tetragonal phases. The correlation of crystal structure and electric properties confirmed that the substitution position of Tm3+ with amphoteric characteristics was related to Tm3+ content. Especially for BCZT-0.5%Tm ceramics, the obvious amphoteric substitution for both A- and B-sites cations of Tm3+ resulted in the formation of defect dipole. The electric properties of BCZT- x %Tm ceramics were dependent on the phase structure, defects and grain size caused by the introduction of Tm3+, and the relevant defect chemical mechanism was illuminated. The enhanced piezoelectric responses (d 33 = 523 pC/N and d 33 * = 645 p.m./V) were achieved in BCZT - 0.5%Tm ceramics, and these findings have essential significance in developing high performance lead-free piezoelectric materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]