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Microscopic origins of the large piezoelectricity of leadfree (Ba,Ca)(Zr,Ti)O3

Author

Listed:
  • Yousra Nahas

    (University of Arkansas)

  • Alireza Akbarzadeh

    (University of Arkansas)

  • Sergei Prokhorenko

    (University of Arkansas)

  • Sergey Prosandeev

    (University of Arkansas
    Research Institute of Physics, Southern Federal University)

  • Raymond Walter

    (University of Arkansas)

  • Igor Kornev

    (Laboratoire Structures, Propriétés et Modélisation des Solides, Université Paris-Saclay)

  • Jorge Íñiguez

    (Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, (LIST))

  • L. Bellaiche

    (University of Arkansas)

Abstract

In light of directives around the world to eliminate toxic materials in various technologies, finding lead-free materials with high piezoelectric responses constitutes an important current scientific goal. As such, the recent discovery of a large electromechanical conversion near room temperature in (1−x)Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3−x(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 compounds has directed attention to understanding its origin. Here, we report the development of a large-scale atomistic scheme providing a microscopic insight into this technologically promising material. We find that its high piezoelectricity originates from the existence of large fluctuations of polarization in the orthorhombic state arising from the combination of a flat free-energy landscape, a fragmented local structure, and the narrow temperature window around room temperature at which this orthorhombic phase is the equilibrium state. In addition to deepening the current knowledge on piezoelectricity, these findings have the potential to guide the design of other lead-free materials with large electromechanical responses.

Suggested Citation

  • Yousra Nahas & Alireza Akbarzadeh & Sergei Prokhorenko & Sergey Prosandeev & Raymond Walter & Igor Kornev & Jorge Íñiguez & L. Bellaiche, 2017. "Microscopic origins of the large piezoelectricity of leadfree (Ba,Ca)(Zr,Ti)O3," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-9, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms15944
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15944
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