Enhanced Strain Properties in KNN-Based Lead-free Piezoelectric Multilayer Actuators by Low-Temperature Texture...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Ceramic Engineering
• Solid State Physics

Background:

• Growing demand for lead-free alternatives to traditional lead-based piezoelectric materials.
• Need for high-performance piezoelectric ceramics in multilayer piezoelectric actuators (MLAs).
• Challenges in improving piezoelectric properties while maintaining high Curie temperatures and environmental friendliness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and investigate lead-free KNN-based ceramics for MLA applications.
• To enhance piezoelectric properties through advanced texturing techniques and sintering aids.
• To evaluate the performance of fabricated KNN-based multilayer piezoelectric actuators.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a compositional system: 0.96-(Na0.5K0.5)-(Nb0.965Sb0.035)-O3-0.01CaZrO3-0.03-(K0.5Bi0.5HfO3) (KNNS-KBH-CZ).
• Incorporated 0.2% CuO as a sintering aid to improve ceramic properties.
• Employed the TGG texturing technique combined with stacked element cofiring for fabricating MLAs.
• Investigated the piezoelectric properties and strain performance of the developed materials.

Main Results:

• Achieved a high texturing degree of 75% in KNNS-KBH-CZ/CuO ceramics.
• Demonstrated excellent strain performance: 0.14% strain and 466 pm/V d33*.
• Observed high performance under a low electric field of 3 kV/mm.

Conclusions:

• The developed KNN-based textured ceramics exhibit significant potential for lead-free multilayer piezoelectric actuators.
• The combination of texturing and CuO addition effectively enhances piezoelectric properties.
• These findings support the application of KNN-based piezoceramics as sustainable alternatives in actuator technology.