Solid state crystal growth of single crystals of 0.75(Na1/2Bi1/2)TiO3-0.25SrTiO3 and their characteristic electrical properties

Abstract

Ceramics of composition 0.75(Na1/2Bi1/2)TiO3-0.25SrTiO3 (NBT-25ST) show a giant electric field-induced strain, making them attractive for actuator applications. Single crystals generally have improved piezoelectric properties over their ceramic counterparts, but the electrical properties of NBT-25ST single crystals have not yet been studied. In this work, NBT-25ST single crystals are grown by the solid state crystal growth technique and their electrical properties measured for the first time. The single crystals show relaxor ferroelectric behavior typical of an NBT-type material. The ferroelectric and inverse piezoelectric properties depend strongly on crystallographic orientation, with superior properties in the (001) orientation. The inverse piezoelectric properties of the (001)-oriented NBT-25ST single crystal are superior to those of an NBT-25ST ceramic (Smax/Emax = 1042 pm/V vs. 739 pm/V).