Large electrostrain in KNN-based ceramics via defect engineering
摘要
Recently, electric-field-induced strain (electrostrain) illusions arising from electric-field-induced bending (electrobending) deformation in thin piezoceramics have garnered widespread attention. However, despite the ultrahigh apparent strain, the driving forces generated by electrobending remain insufficient for practical piezoelectric actuator applications. Herein, genuine electrostrains of 0.30 and 0.29% are demonstrated in thick (> 800 μm) K0.47Na0.47Li0.06Nb0.995Cu0.005O3 and K0.47Na0.47Li0.06Nb0.995Mn0.005O3 ceramics through defect engineering. These compositions exhibit strongly pinched polarization–electric field (P-E) hysteresis loops accompanied by symmetric bipolar strain-electric field (S-E) curves. The substantially enhanced strain response is attributed to recoverable non-180° domain switching, wherein defect dipoles provide the restoring force. This work offers a viable paradigm for achieving high piezoelectric strains via defect engineering in ferroelectric ceramics.
Graphical abstract