by: Fernando Rubio-Marcos, Juan José Romero, José Francisco Fernández and Pascal Marchet
Abstract: Divalent transition metal oxide doping of lead-free (K,Na,Li)(Nb,Ta,Sb)O3 piezoceramics is studied. Two different behaviors were observed independently of the doping metal: at low concentrations, the tetragonal structure is preserved, while at a high doping level, the material becomes orthorhombic. For any given doping level, a linear dependence was found between the pseudo-tetragonal lattice distortion and the ionic radii of doping ions. The ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of the material are reduced by the doping, whereas the mechanical quality factor increases. Thus, the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of these lead-free piezoceramics can be easily controlled through metal oxide doping.
