Phase structure and nano-domain in high performance of BaTiO3 piezoelectric ceramics

BaTiO3 ceramics were prepared by conventional sintering technique with a special emphasis on the effects of sintering temperature (1100–1230 °C) on the crystalline structure and piezoelectric properties. XRD patterns indicated that the crystallographic structure changed from tetragonal phase to orthorhombic one with raising sintering temperature from 1160 °C to 1180 °C. Domains were shaped in a stripe and a herringbone in orthorhombic samples for BaTiO3 ceramics. The domain width and domain density increased with raising sintering temperature. The BaTiO3 ceramic sintered at 1190 °C showed the excellent electrical properties, d33 = 355 pC/N, kp = 40%, Pr = 10.2 μC/cm2, respectively, which are originated to the contributions of both the crystallographic structure transition and nano-domain.