Ultrahigh Piezoelectric Response Obtained by Artificially Generating a Large Internal Bias Field in BiFeO3-BaTiO3 Lead-Free Ceramics

Piezoelectric actuators are vital devices that convert electrical signals into mechanical strain, offering rapid and precise responses. Lead-based piezoceramics have traditionally been the preferred choice for commercial piezoelectric actuators, while the low Curie temperature and the rising environmental concerns hinder their applications at high temperatures. In this study, a novel strategy is proposed to achieve high piezoelectric responses in lead-free 0.67Bi(1.05)FeO(3)-0.33BaTiO(3) (67BF-33BT) ceramics with high Curie temperature by artificially generating a large internal bias field through repeat poling and aging treatments. A comprehensive exploration of how this internal bias field responds to applied electric fields and temperature variations has been conducted. The results suggest that the internal bias field originates from two aspects, one arises from the free charges that compensate for the depolarization field, while the other is attributed to the highly oriented defect dipoles. As a result of this internal bias field, the ceramics exhibit asymmetric strain-electric field (S-E) behaviors, resulting in a high strain (epsilon = 0.21%) and an extremely high piezoelectric coefficient (d(33)* = 1033.70 pm V-1) when subjected to low electric field (20 kV cm(-1)), along with good temperature stability from room temperature (RT) to 100 degrees C.