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Hierarchical domain structure of lead-free piezoelectric (Na{sub 1/2} Bi{sub 1/2})TiO{sub 3}-(K{sub 1/2} Bi{sub 1/2})TiO{sub 3} single crystals

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4948478· OSTI ID:22596933
; ; ; ;  [1];  [2]; ;  [3]
  1. Materials Science and Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061 (United States)
  2. Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831 (United States)
  3. Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 215 Chengbei Road, Jiading, Shanghai 201800 (China)
We report a unique hierarchical domain structure in single crystals of (Na{sub 1/2}Bi{sub 1/2})TiO{sub 3}-xat. %(K{sub 1/2}Bi{sub 1/2})TiO{sub 3} for x = 5 and 8 by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A high density of polar nano-domains with a lamellar morphology was found, which were self-assembled into a quadrant-like configuration, which then assembled into conventional ferroelectric macro-domains. Studies by high resolution TEM revealed that the polar lamellar regions contained a coexistence of in-phase and anti-phase oxygen octahedral tilt regions of a few nanometers in size. Domain frustration over multiple length scales may play an important role in the stabilization of the hierarchy, and in reducing the piezoelectric response of this Pb-free piezoelectric solid solution.
OSTI ID:
22596933
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Journal Name: Journal of Applied Physics Journal Issue: 17 Vol. 119; ISSN JAPIAU; ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English