(Bi,Sc)O3-(Pb,Ti)O3 piezoelectric ceramics with two-step sintering process for energy harvesting applications

 Energy harvesting materials have been widely studied for renewable energy applications. Piezoelectric energy harvesters have attracted attention due to their versatility and reliability. In various piezoelectric ceramics,... [ view full abstract ]

 Energy harvesting materials have been widely studied for renewable energy applications. Piezoelectric energy harvesters have attracted attention due to their versatility and reliability. In various piezoelectric ceramics, 0.36(Bi,Sc)O₃-0.64(Pb,Ti)O₃ ceramics close to the MPB region have shown excellent piezoelectric properties such as d₃₃ of 400 pC/N and high Curie temperatures of 400 ^°C. Meanwhile, bismuth of 0.36(Bi,Sc)O₃-0.64(Pb,Ti)O₃ ceramics can be easily evaporated at high sintering temperature due to a low melting point, which lower the structural properties of the ceramics. To solve this drawback, many researches have been carried out to improve structural and piezoelectric properties. In this research, we expected to improve the piezoelectric and dielectric properties of 0.36(Bi,Sc)O₃-0.64(Pb,Ti)O₃ ceramics by employing the two-step sintering process. We investigated the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of 0.36(Bi,Sc)O₃-0.64(Pb,Ti)O₃ ceramics in an attempt to determine the optimized two-step sintering conditions for improved piezoelectric properties. Especially, the effects of dwelling time for the two-step sintering process on the 0.36(Bi,Sc)O₃-0.64(Pb,Ti)O₃ ceramics were studied. The crystalline structures of the 0.36(Bi,Sc)O₃-0.64(Pb,Ti)O₃ ceramics were measured by X-ray diffraction. Also, the microstructure was examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy.