Hajime Nagata

Bio: Hajime Nagata is an academic researcher from Tokyo University of Science. The author has contributed to research in topics: Ceramic & Piezoelectricity. The author has an hindex of 36, co-authored 151 publications receiving 6299 citations.

Current status and prospects of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

Abstract: Dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of perovskite ferroelectric and bismuth layer-structured ferroelectric (BLSF) ceramics are described as superior candidates for lead-free piezoelectric materials to reduce environmental damages. Perovskite type ceramics seem to be suitable for actuator and high power applications that are required a large piezoelectric constant, d 33 (>300 pC/N) and a high Curie temperature, T c (>200 °C). For BaTiO 3 (BT)-based solid solutions, that is, (1 − x )BaTiO 3 − x (Bi 0.5 K 0.5 )TiO 3 [BTBK − 100 x ] ceramics, the T c increases with increasing the amount of x . BTBK-20 + MnCO 3 0.1 wt.% ceramic shows the high T c than 200 °C and the electromechanical coupling factor, k 33 = 0.35. In the case of a (Bi 1/2 Na 1/2 )TiO 3 − b BaTiO 3 − c (Bi 1/2 K 1/2 )TiO 3 [BNBK (100 a /100 b /100 c )] solid solution ceramics, the d 33 and T c are 191 pC/N and 301 °C for the BNBK (85.2/2.8/12), respectively. On the other hand, BLSF ceramics seem to be excellent candidates as piezoelectric sensors for high temperatures and ceramic resonators with high mechanical quality factor ( Q m ), and low temperature coefficient of resonance frequency (TC- f r ). Donor-doped Bi 4 Ti 3 O 12 ceramics such as Bi 4 Ti 3− x Nb x O 12 [BITN- x ] and Bi 4 Ti 3− x V x O 12 [BITV- x ] show high T c than 650 °C. The k 33 value of the grain-oriented (HF) BITN-0.08 ceramic is 0.39 and is able to keep the same value up to 350 °C. Bi 3 TiTaO 9 (BTT)-based solid solution system, Sr x −1 Bi 4− x Ti 2− x Ta x O 9 [SBTT2( x )] (1 ≦ x ≦ 2), displays the high Q m value (=13500) in (p)-mode at the x = 1.25 composition.

Large Piezoelectric Constant and High Curie Temperature of Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramic Ternary System Based on Bismuth Sodium Titanate-Bismuth Potassium Titanate-Barium Titanate near the Morphotropic Phase Boundary

Abstract: A lead-free piezoelectric ceramic ternary system based on bismuth sodium titanate, (Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3 (BNT) - bismuth potassium titanate (Bi1/2K1/2)TiO3 (BKT) - barium titanate BaTiO3 (BT) near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) between the tetragonal and rhombohedral phases has been investigated. In the case of a(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3–bBaTiO3–c(Bi1/2K1/2)TiO3 [BNBK(100a/100b/100c)] solid solution ceramics, the highest piezoelectric constant d33=191 pC/N, Curie temperature, Tc=301°C, electromechanical coupling factor, k33=0.56 and dielectric constant, e33T/e0=1141 are observed for the BNBK(85.2/2.8/12) composition which has a tetragonal phase near the MPB. The d33 value is the highest so far reported for all lead-free piezoelectric ceramics with Tc>300°C. The BNT-BKT-BT ternary ceramics system sintered at 1200°C for 2 h in air has a pure perovskite structure and a high density more than 95% of the theoretical density.

Electrical Properties and Depolarization Temperature of (Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3–(Bi1/2K1/2)TiO3 Lead-free Piezoelectric Ceramics

Abstract: The piezoelectric properties of a solid solution of the binary system, x(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3–(1-x)(Bi1/2K1/2)TiO3 [BNKT100x; x=0.50–0.98] were investigated, focusing on depolarization temperature, Td. Fine piezoelectric properties in lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were obtained near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) composition between the rhombohedral and tetragonal structures, and the highest electromechanical coupling factor, k33, and piezoelectric constant, d33, were 0.56 for BNKT84 and 157 pC/N for BNKT80, respectively. However, the Td of BNKT80 was low (174 °C). The Td of the MPB composition was low, and the Td near the MPB composition was sharply decreased. It is thought that BNKT70 is a candidate composition for lead-free actuator applications owing to its relatively large piezoelectric constant, d33 (126 pC/N), dynamic d33 (214 pm/V), and high depolarization temperature, Td (206 °C). In this study, we determined depolarization temperature, Td, from the temperature dependence of dielectric and piezoelectric properties.

Current Developments and Prospective of Lead-Free Piezoelectric Ceramics

Abstract: The dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of perovskite ferroelectric and bismuth layered-structured ferroelectric (BLSF) ceramics are described being superior candidates for lead-free piezoelectric materials to reduce environmental damage. Perovskite-type ceramics seem to be suitable for actuator and high-power applications that require a large piezoelectric constant, d33, and a high Curie temperature, Tc, or a depolarization temperature, Td (>200 °C). For BaTiO3-based solid solutions, (1-x)BaTiO3–x(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3 (BT–BKT100x) ceramics, Tc increases with increasing amount of x. The BT–BKT20 + MnCO3 (0.1 wt %) ceramic shows a high Tc greater than 200 °C and an electromechanical coupling factor of k33 =0.35. In the case of a(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3–b(Bi1/2K1/2)TiO3–cBaTiO3 [BNBK (100a/100b/100c)] solid solution ceramics, d33 is 191 pC/N for BNBK (85.2/2.8/12). KNbO3 (KN)-based ceramics are also a candidate for lead-free piezoelectrics. In Mn-doped KN ceramics, a higher k33 of 0.507 is obtained for KN + MnCO3 (0.1 wt %). On the other hand, BLSF ceramics seem to be excellent candidates as piezoelectric sensors for high temperatures and ceramic resonators with a high mechanical quality factor, Qm, and a low temperature coefficient of resonance frequency, TC-f. The k33 value of the donor (Nb)-doped and grain-oriented (HF) Bi4Ti3-xNbxO12 (BITN-x) ceramic is 0.39 for x=0.08 and is able to keep the same stable value up to 350 °C. Nd(0.01) and V(0.75) co-doped Bi4Ti3O12 ceramics, BNTV(0.01, 0.75), show a relatively low TC-f. Bi3TiTaO9 (BTT)-based solid solution, Srx-1Bi4-xTi2-xTaxO9 [SBTT2(x)] (1x2), displays the high Qm value (=13500) in (p)-mode at x=1.25. For resonator applications, (Sr1-xCax)2Bi4Ti5O18 (SCBT) (0x0.5) ceramics are suitable.

Thermal depoling process and piezoelectric properties of bismuth sodium titanate ceramics

Abstract: Stoichiometric and nonstoichiometric (Bi05Na05)TiO3 (BNT) ceramics were prepared by a conventional ceramic fabrication process This study revealed that the high conductivity of BNT ceramics is associated with Bi vaporization during sintering An x-ray study revealed that a tetragonal phase exists in the temperature range between 330 and 480 °C in BNT ceramic as well as BNT single crystals In addition, the depolarization temperature Td, rhombohedral-tetragonal phase transition temperature TR-T, and the temperature Tm of the maximum dielectric constant were determined to be 187, approximately 300, and 325 °C, respectively, from the temperature dependences of dielectric properties using unpoled and poled specimens The piezoelectric properties of all vibration modes and the temperature dependences of the piezoelectric properties were measured using fully poled BNT ceramics It was also revealed that BNT ceramics exhibit three thermal depoling processes at Td, between Td and TR-T, and between TR-T and Tm

Lead-free piezoceramics

Abstract: Lead has recently been expelled from many commercial applications and materials (for example, from solder, glass and pottery glaze) owing to concerns regarding its toxicity. Lead zirconium titanate (PZT) ceramics are high-performance piezoelectric materials, which are widely used in sensors, actuators and other electronic devices; they contain more than 60 weight per cent lead. Although there has been a concerted effort to develop lead-free piezoelectric ceramics, no effective alternative to PZT has yet been found. Here we report a lead-free piezoelectric ceramic with an electric-field-induced strain comparable to typical actuator-grade PZT. We achieved this through the combination of the discovery of a morphotropic phase boundary in an alkaline niobate-based perovskite solid solution, and the development of a processing route leading to highly textured polycrystals. The ceramic exhibits a piezoelectric constant d33 (the induced charge per unit force applied in the same direction) of above 300 picocoulombs per newton (pC N(-1)), and texturing the material leads to a peak d33 of 416 pC N(-1). The textured material also exhibits temperature-independent field-induced strain characteristics.

Perspective on the Development of Lead-free Piezoceramics

Abstract: A large body of work has been reported in the last 5 years on the development of lead-free piezoceramics in the quest to replace lead–zirconate–titanate (PZT) as the main material for electromechanical devices such as actuators, sensors, and transducers. In specific but narrow application ranges the new materials appear adequate, but are not yet suited to replace PZT on a broader basis. In this paper, general guidelines for the development of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics are presented. Suitable chemical elements are selected first on the basis of cost and toxicity as well as ionic polarizability. Different crystal structures with these elements are then considered based on simple concepts, and a variety of phase diagrams are described with attractive morphotropic phase boundaries, yielding good piezoelectric properties. Finally, lessons from density functional theory are reviewed and used to adjust our understanding based on the simpler concepts. Equipped with these guidelines ranging from atom to phase diagram, the current development stage in lead-free piezoceramics is then critically assessed.

Large Piezoelectric Effect in Pb-Free Ceramics

Abstract: We report a non-Pb piezoelectric ceramic system Ba(Ti(0.8)Zr(0.2))O(3)-(Ba(0.7)Ca(0.3))TiO(3) which shows a surprisingly high piezoelectric coefficient of d(33) approximately 620 pC/N at optimal composition. Its phase diagram shows a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) starting from a tricritical triple point of a cubic paraelectric phase (C), ferroelectric rhombohedral (R), and tetragonal (T) phases. The high piezoelectricity of the MPB compositions stems from the composition proximity of the MPB to the tricritical triple point, which leads to a nearly vanishing polarization anisotropy and thus facilitates polarization rotation between 001T and 111R states. We predict that the single-crystal form of the MPB composition of the present system may reach a giant d(33) = 1500-2000 pC/N. Our work may provide a new recipe for designing highly piezoelectric materials (both Pb-free and Pb-containing) by searching MPBs starting from a TCP.

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics: Alternatives for PZT?

Abstract: Investigations in the development of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics have recently claimed comparable properties to the lead-based ferroelectric perovskites, represented by Pb(Zr,Ti)O3, or PZT In this work, the scientific and technical impact of these materials is contrasted with the various families of “soft” and “hard” PZTs On the scientific front, the intrinsic nature of the dielectric and piezoelectric properties are presented in relation to their respective Curie temperatures (T C) and the existence of a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) Analogous to PZT, enhanced properties are noted for MPB compositions in the (Na,Bi)TiO3-BaTiO3 and ternary system with (K,Bi)TiO3, but offer properties significantly lower The consequences of a ferroelectric to antiferroelectric transition well below T C further limits their usefulness Though comparable with respect to T C, the high levels of piezoelectricity reported in the (K,Na)NbO3 family are the result of enhanced polarizability associated with the orthorhombic-tetragonal polymorphic phase transition being compositionally shifted downward As expected, the properties are strongly temperature dependent, while degradation occurs through the thermal cycling between the two distinct ferroelectric domain states Extrinsic contributions arising from domains and domain wall mobility were determined using high field strain and polarization measurements The concept of “soft” and “hard” lead-free piezoelectrics were discussed in relation to donor and acceptor modified PZTs, respectively Technologically, the lead-free materials are discussed in relation to general applications, including sensors, actuators and ultrasound transducers