TY - JOUR
T1 - Bifurcated polarization rotation in bismuth-based piezoelectrics
AU - Keeble, Dean S.
AU - Barney, Emma R.
AU - Keen, David A.
AU - Tucker, Matthew G.
AU - Kreisel, Jens
AU - Thomas, Pam A.
PY - 2013/1/14
Y1 - 2013/1/14
N2 - ABO3 perovskite-type solid solutions display a large variety of structural and physical properties, which can be tuned by chemical composition or external parameters such as temperature, pressure, strain, electric, or magnetic fields. Some solid solutions show remarkably enhanced physical properties including colossal magnetoresistance or giant piezoelectricity. It has been recognized that structural distortions, competing on the local level, are key to understanding and tuning these remarkable properties, yet, it remains a challenge to experimentally observe such local structural details. Here, from neutron pair-distribution analysis, a temperature-dependent 3D atomic-level model of the lead-free piezoelectric perovskite Na0.5Bi 0.5TiO3 (NBT) is reported. The statistical analysis of this model shows how local distortions compete, how this competition develops with temperature, and, in particular, how different polar displacements of Bi3+ cations coexist as a bifurcated polarization, highlighting the interest of Bi-based materials in the search for new lead-free piezoelectrics. Pair distrubution function analysis of the lead-free piezoelectric Na 1/2Bi1/2TiO3 is used to reveal the thermal evolution of the cations' local environment. In particular, a "bifurcated" polarization rotation of the bismuth cations is observed, essentially convoluting previous suggestions of (singular) polarization rotation and of phase coexistence.
AB - ABO3 perovskite-type solid solutions display a large variety of structural and physical properties, which can be tuned by chemical composition or external parameters such as temperature, pressure, strain, electric, or magnetic fields. Some solid solutions show remarkably enhanced physical properties including colossal magnetoresistance or giant piezoelectricity. It has been recognized that structural distortions, competing on the local level, are key to understanding and tuning these remarkable properties, yet, it remains a challenge to experimentally observe such local structural details. Here, from neutron pair-distribution analysis, a temperature-dependent 3D atomic-level model of the lead-free piezoelectric perovskite Na0.5Bi 0.5TiO3 (NBT) is reported. The statistical analysis of this model shows how local distortions compete, how this competition develops with temperature, and, in particular, how different polar displacements of Bi3+ cations coexist as a bifurcated polarization, highlighting the interest of Bi-based materials in the search for new lead-free piezoelectrics. Pair distrubution function analysis of the lead-free piezoelectric Na 1/2Bi1/2TiO3 is used to reveal the thermal evolution of the cations' local environment. In particular, a "bifurcated" polarization rotation of the bismuth cations is observed, essentially convoluting previous suggestions of (singular) polarization rotation and of phase coexistence.
KW - ceramics
KW - characterization tools
KW - dielectrics
KW - ferroics
KW - structure-property relationships
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84872071353&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1002/adfm.201201564
DO - 10.1002/adfm.201201564
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84872071353
SN - 1616-301X
VL - 23
SP - 185
EP - 190
JO - Advanced Functional Materials
JF - Advanced Functional Materials
IS - 2
ER -