Chen, H., Liu, H., Yin, J., Wong, V.-K., Lim, D. B. K., Jiang, C., Xing, J., Yao, K., & Zhu, J. (2026). Enhancing piezoelectric properties of PZT-based ceramics for ultrasonic device application via Nd-doping and modulating polar nanoregions. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 46(9), 118230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2026.118230
Abstract:
Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-Pb(Zr0.41Ti0.59)O3 is a perovskite material system with superior piezoelectric properties.
Here, with optimized Nd ions introduced as soft dopants into the A-site of the lattice, the piezoelectric constant (d33) was significantly enhanced from 318 pC/N to 825 pC/N. Microstructural characterization and electrical property measurements revealed that the outstanding piezoelectric performance primarily originated from the formation of polar nanoregions (PNRs) induced by the synergistic regulation of phase structure and relaxor characteristics. The presence of PNRs was further confirmed by the observation of Moiré fringes using transmission electron microscopy. The activation energy analysis indicated that Nd-doped PNRs significantly facilitate domain switching, thereby improving piezoelectric properties. As a demonstration of the practical value of the improved piezoelectric properties, the PMNZT-xNd ceramic exhibits enhanced ultrasonic structural health monitoring performance, identifying defects to a depth of 0.06 mm in ultrasonic detection experiments.
License type:
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Funding Info:
This research / project is supported by the A*STAR, Singapore - Industry Alignment Fund – Industry Collaboration Projects Grant
Grant Reference no. : I2301E0027
A*STAR Distinguished Fellowship Award
This research / project is supported by the A*STAR, Singapore - Centre for Hydrogen Innovations
Grant Reference no. : CHI-P2024–02