Electrical properties of Sb(2)O(3)-modified BiScO(3)–PbTiO(3)-based piezoelectric ceramics

Compared with pure Pb-based perovskite ferroelectric materials, BiMeO(3)–PbTiO(3) (Me = Sc(3+), In(3+), and Yb(3+)) systems have remarkable advantages in their Curie temperatures. As a member of this group, the BiScO(3)–PbTiO(3) (BS–PT) solid solution has drawn considerable attention from scientists for its high Curie temperature and excellent piezoelectric coefficient. However, BS–PT ceramics still have some shortcomings, such as high dielectric loss and low mechanical quality factor, which make them unsuitable for high-temperature applications. Herein, we report the effect of the addition of complex ions on the electrical properties of BS–PT ceramics. Sb(2)O(3)-doped 0.36BiScO(3)–0.64PbTi(0.97)Fe(0.03)O(3) + 1 mol% MnO(2) (BS–PTFMn + x% Sb(2)O(3)) ceramics were fabricated and their electrical properties were studied. BS–PTFMn + 0.75% Sb(2)O(3) had an optimal piezoelectric coefficient, exhibiting [Image: see text] which indicates that Sb(2)O(3) doping can improve the piezoelectric properties of the BS–PT ceramics, exhibiting a “soft” effect of Sb(2)O(3) doping. In addition, the thermal depolarization temperature (T(d)) of BS–PTFMn + 0.75% Sb(2)O(3) ceramics remained above 300 °C, such as 325 °C for BS–PTFMn + 0.75% Sb(2)O(3). It was concluded that the piezoelectric properties of BS–PT ceramics were enhanced by the addition of Sb(2)O(3).