Enhanced piezoelectric properties of off-stoichiometric strontium bismuth tantalate Sr0.8Bi2.2Ta2O9 ceramics

The piezoelectric properties of strontium bismuth tantalate SrBi₂Ta₂O₉ (SBT) ceramics were enhanced by introducing off-stoichiometry into the starting materials. Sr-deficient and Bi-excess SBT, Sr_0.8Bi_2.2Ta₂O₉ (S_0.8B_2.2T), ceramic samples were prepared by a conventional ceramic technique. The optimum poling conditions (temperature T_p, time t_p, and electric field E_p) were investigated for the piezoelectric measurement. All the obtained independent electromechanical coupling factors of the S_0.8B_2.2T dense ceramics were as follows: k_p=10.6, k₃₁=6.8, k₃₃=14.0, k₁₅=7.8, and k_t=16.2%. The physical constants of the S_0.8B_2.2T ceramics were also determined. The piezoelectric constants were d₃₃=13.0, d₃₁=6.0, and d₁₅=10.2 pC/N. PACS 77.84.Dy; 61.66.Fn; 77.65.-j