Morphotropic phase boundary in the BFO-BTO solid solutions: role of synthesis conditions

Abstract

The morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) region of the BFO-BTO solid solution is studied by comprehensive macroscopic and local methods, focusing on the synthesis conditions that influence the final phase composition and functional response. The difference between the phase distribution and local switching behavior in two sets of the BFO-BTO solid solutions prepared with different applied pressures is revealed and attributed to the local chemical inhomogeneity forming due to certain differences in the solid-state sintering reactions. More homogeneous mixing of the polar and non-polar phases stimulates the non-polar-to-polar phase transition and widening the MPB region.

Keywords:

• bismuth ferrite
• barium titanate
• domain structure
• piezoelectric response

Acknowledgments

The equipment of Ural Center for Shared Use “Modern Nanotechnology” Ural Federal University (Reg. No 2968) was used.

Additional information

Funding

The reported study was funded by RFBR (grant No. 19-52-04015) and BRFFR (grant No. F19RM-008) and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (projects 075-15-2021-677 and FEUZ-2020-0054). This project has received funding from the European Union?s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 778070 (acronym TransFerr). This work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020 & UIDP/50011/2020, financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when appropriate co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. A.L.K. acknowledges the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation for the support under the project #075-15-2021-588 from 1.06.2021.