Abstract
In this study we report large defect-mediated electrostrain (∼0.2%) in Cu2+-doped Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3 (BST) ceramics. This electrostrain is due to the large reversible switching of the 90° domains facilitated by the defect dipoles. The increased tetragonality due to the J-T distortion in the Cu2+-doped compositions is also responsible for the higher electrostrains obtained. With the aid of Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopic studies, it is also found that, the nature of the defect dipoles significantly influences the electrostrain in these copper doped materials.