Scale-dependent properties in lead free piezoelectric ceramics” (ProLEAF)

Project code: PN-III-P1-1.1-TE-2016-1951
Project number: 22/2.05.2018
Funded by the Executive Unit for Financing High Education, Research, Development and Innovation, CNCS – UEFISCDI

{slider title="Abstract" class="blue"}

Piezoelectric materials are used in many applications due to their ability to generate electric charge by application of mechanical pressure, or strain under the application of an electric field. For more than half a century, lead zirconate titanate family has been the prototype among the piezoelectric materials due to its large piezoelectric coefficient. However, the environment pollution caused by highly toxic lead has induced an urgent need in developing various lead-free piezoelectric ceramics for the demands of various applications. From lead free piezoelectric materials, BZT-BCT systems at morphotropic phase boundary seems to have similar performances with Pb-based materials. Take into account that BZT-BCT is a BaTiO₃- based solid solution, the question that arises is if its properties may be influenced by similar parameters as pure BaTiO₃. Therefore, a major challenge is to understand the role of grain size on the functional properties of BZT-BCT systems at its morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) for searching an optimal size for maximising the piezoelectric coefficient.  The aim of the present project is to use a complex modelling-experimental approach to search an optimum size and to understand the origin of scale dependent properties and mixing degree level in lead free piezoelectric ceramics with GS larger than ~1 micrometer. For this aim, single phase and composite BZT-BCT dense ceramics, with compositions near the MPB and grain size in the range above ~1micrometer, will be comparatively investigated and their properties will be described by appropriate models.  A highly scientific impact will have the combination of the present models with complex multiscale models able to describe size- dependent macroscopic properties. The project will help the Romanian group to preserve its leader role in experimental-modelling approach for describing size effects phenomena in ferroelectric based materials.

Project budget

 {supertable table}

{/supertable}

{slider title="Team" class="blue"}

Project manager: lect.dr. Lavinia-Petronela Curecheriu
CS II dr. Cristina-Elena Ciomaga
Asist.dr. Leontin Padurariu
PhD Student- vacant position

{slider title="Objectives" class="blue"}

Stage I – 2018
Experimental and theoretical study of size dependent properties in lead free piezoelectric ceramics with GS from ~1µm up to tens of µm:

1.1 Structural & microstructural characterisation of single phase BCTZ ceramics: monitoring the effect of grain size and temperature on the structural modifications;
1.2 Raman investigation of the role of grain size, temperature and field (if available) on the local structure of single phase ceramics (to be continue in 2019);
1.3 Low-field broadband dielectric spectroscopy and sub-switching characteristics (Rayleigh) (to be continue in 2019);
1.4 Study of poling effect on the piezoelectric constants (to be continue in 2019)
1.5 Mesoscale modelling (Monte Carlo with FEM calculations) to describe size effects on the low-field properties in BCTZ ceramics (to be continue in 2019);
1.6 Dissemination, coordination, management

Stage II – 2019
Experimental and theoretical study of grain size and composition effect on the functional properties of single phase and composite lead free piezoelectric ceramics:

II. 1 Raman investigation of the role of grain size, temperature and field (if available) on the local structure of single phase ceramics (finish);
II.2 Low-field broadband dielectric spectroscopy and sub-switching characteristics (Rayleigh) (finish);
II.3 Study of poling effect on the piezoelectric constants (finish)
II.4 Investigation of size dependent piezoelectric properties in single phase BCTZ;
II.5 Investigation of size effects on high field properties from mesoscale (AFM/PFM) to macroscale (P(E), tunability)
II.6 Mesoscale modelling (Monte Carlo with FEM calculations) to describe size effects on the low-field properties in BCTZ ceramics (finish)
II.7 Modelling of dielectric/piezoelectric/ferroelectric vs. field responses in realistic BCTZ ceramics with different grain sizes.
II.8 Structural & microstructural characterisation of BCTZ composite ceramics;
II.9 ThermoRaman investigation of grain size dependent of phase transitions in composite ceramics
II.10 Macroscopic ferroelectric (P(E), sub-switching experiments) and dc-tunability study (to be continue 2020)
II.11 Multiscale models (FEM, Monte Carlo, Preisach) to describe the grain size effect in BCTZ composite piezoelectric ceramics (to be continue 2020)
II.12 Microstructural investigation of BCTZ composite ceramics; study of compositional dependent interconnectivity
II.13 Raman investigation of compositional effect on local structure;
II.14 Macroscopic ferroelectric (P(E), sub-switching experiments) and dc-tunability study (to be continue 2020)
II.15 Study of poling effect on piezoelectric coefficients in BCTZ composites (to be continue 2020)
II.16 Multiscale models (FEM, Monte Carlo, Preisach) to describe the composition-effect in BCTZ composite piezoelectric ceramics (to be continue 2020)
II.17 Dissemination, coordination, management

Stage III – 2020
Investigation of compositional and size effects on high field properties of BCTZ composite ceramics

III.1 Macroscopic ferroelectric (P(E), sub-switching experiments) and dc-tunability study (finish)
III.2 Investigation of size dependent piezoelectric properties in BCTZ composite ceramics
III.3 Multiscale models (FEM, Monte Carlo, Preisach) to describe the grain size effect in BCTZ composite piezoelectric ceramics (finish)
III.4 Macroscopic ferroelectric (P(E), sub-switching experiments) and dc-tunability study (finish)
III.5 Study of poling effect on piezoelectric coefficients in BCTZ composites (finish)
III.6 Multiscale models (FEM, Monte Carlo, Preisach) to describe the composition-effect in BCTZ composite piezoelectric ceramics (finish)
III.6 Dissemination, coordination, management

{slider title="Results" class="red"}

Papers

• G. Canu, G. Bottaro, M.T. Buscaglia, C. Costa, O. Condurache, L. Curecheriu, L. Mitoseriu, V. Buscaglia, L. Armelao, Ferroelectric order driven Eu3+ photoluminescence in BaZrxTi1-xO3 perovskite, Scientific Reports, 9, 6441 (2019)
• Lavinia Curecheriu, Vlad Alexandru Lukacs, Leontin Padurariu, George Stoian, Cristina Elena Ciomaga, Effect of porosity on functional properties of lead-free piezoelectric BaZr0.15Ti0.85O3 porous ceramics, Materials, 13, 3324 (2020)
• Nadejda Horchidan, Lavinia Curecheriu, Cristina E. Ciomaga, Nicoleta Lupu, Liliana Mitoseriu, Preparation and functiona properties of BaTiO3- BaGeO3 ceramics, IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control (2020) (in press) (ISI=2.812)
• Sarunas Svirskas, Dzmitry Adamchuk, Robertas Grigalaitis, Dziugas Jablonskas, Jan Macutkevic, Giovanna Canu, Maria Teresa Buscaglia, Vincenzo Buscaglia, Lavinia Curecheriu, Liliana Mitoseriu, Juras Banys, Dipolar glass state in BaCe0.3Ti0.7O3 perovskite solid solutions, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 854, 155755 (2021) (ISI=4.65)
• Felicia Gheorghiu, Mihai Asandulesa, Lavinia Curecheriu, Electrical properties of KTa0.65Nb0.35O3 lead-free ceramics, Processing and Application of Ceramics (accepted) (ISI=0.968)

Conferences

• M. Avakian, E. Molina, C-C Chung, J. Zhao, L. Mitoseriu, L. Curecheriu, J. Jones, Phase Transition studies of lead-free ferroelectrics using X-ray diffraction, 14th European Meeting on Ferroelectricity – EMF, Lausanne, Elvetia, 14-19 Iulie 2019
• L. Curecheriu, M.T. Buscaglia, G. Canu, V. Buscaglia, L. Padurariu, C. Ciomaga, L. Mitoseriu, Size-dependent properties in Ba0.85Ca0.15Ti0.90Zr0.10O3- based ceramics14th European Meeting on Ferroelectricity – EMF, Lausanne, Elvetia, 14-19 Iulie 2019
• Al. Lukacs, G. Stoian, L. Curecheriu, C. Ciomaga, N. Lupu, L. Mitoseriu, Grain size effects on dielectric, ferroelectric and tunability properties of BaZr0.05Ti0.95O3 ceramics14th European Meeting on Ferroelectricity – EMF, Lausanne, Elvetia, 14-19 Iulie 2019
• L. Curecheriu, M.T. Buscaglia, G. Canu, V. Buscaglia, L. Padurariu, C. Ciomaga, L. Mitoseriu, Scale-dependent properties in lead free piezoelectric ceramics, 30th Assembly of Advanced Materials Congress, Singapore, 31 octombrie-4 noiembrie 2019
• L. Curecheriu, L. Padurariu, V. Al. Lukacs, C. Ciomaga, G. Stoian, L. Mitoseriu, There is a critical size in BaTiO3 slightly doped ceramics?, 30th Assembly of Advanced Materials Congress, Singapore, 31 octombrie-4 noiembrie 2019
• L.P. Curecheriu, M.T. Buscaglia, G. Canu, C.E. Ciomaga, L. Padurariu, V. Lukacs, V. Buscaglia, L. Mitoseriu, Scale-dependent properties in BaTiO3- based ceramics, Electroceramics XVII, 24-28 august, Darmstadt, Germania (online- oral)

Prizes

• IAAM Scientist Medals 2019 – Lavinia-Petronela Curecheriu obținut în cadrul conferinței 30th Assembly of Advanced Materials Congress, Singapore, 31 octombrie-4 noiembrie 2019

Summary

• 4 ½ ISI papers with a total impact factor 13.487
• 10 international conference (7 orals and 3 poster presentation)
• Habilitation thesis of PI
• IAAM Scientist Medals 2019 of PI.

Main results 2019

Scientific report 2019

Main results 2020

Scientific report 2020

{/sliders}