Enhanced electrostrain in Cu²⁺-doped Ba_0.8Sr_0.2TiO₃

Abstract

In this study we report large defect-mediated electrostrain (∼0.2%) in Cu²⁺-doped Ba_0.8Sr_0.2TiO₃ (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.

Keywords:

• Electrostrain
• acceptor doping
• defect dipole
• EPR

Additional information

Funding

One of the authors KV is grateful to CSIR for the JRF fellowship.