Structural and piezoelectric properties of LiNbO3-modified BiScO3–PbTiO3 ceramics

Piezoelectric perovskite materials based on the solid solution (1 − x)BiScO3–xPbTiO3 (BSPT) have been attracting attention for their high Curie temperature (Tc = 450 °C) and excellent piezoelectric properties. The LiNbO3 (LN), which has a Tc as high as 1150 °C, has been recently reported forming a phase pure perovskite solid solution with some perovskite structure compounds. In the current work, the effects of LN substitution on the structural and electrical properties of BSPT ceramics were investigated in the 0.36BiScO3–0.64{(1 − x)PbTiO3–xLiNbO3} (BSPTLNx) system. The results of LN addition in the BSPT ceramics show significant enhancement of the piezoelectric properties. The piezoelectric constant d33, planar electromechanical coupling coefficient and remnant polarization Pr values reached 465 pC/N, 0.57 and 48 μC/cm2, respectively, for x = 0.04. The Tc gradually decreases with increasing LN content in the BSPTLNx system, due to the structure transform from the tetragonal to the rhombohedral. A typical relaxor behavior is also produced with the LN substitution in the BSPTLNx system.