Enhanced piezoelectric performance of composite sol-gel thick films evaluated using piezoresponse force microscopy

Liu, Y., Lam, K. H. , Shung, K. K., Li, J. and Zhou, Q. (2013) Enhanced piezoelectric performance of composite sol-gel thick films evaluated using piezoresponse force microscopy. Journal of Applied Physics, 113(18), 187205. (doi: 10.1063/1.4801975)

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Abstract

Conventional composite sol-gel method has been modified to enhance the piezoelectric performance of ceramic thick films. Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and lead magnesium niobate–lead titanate (PMN-PT) thick films were fabricated using the modified sol-gel method for ultrasonic transducer applications. In this work, piezoresponse force microscopy was employed to evaluate the piezoelectric characteristics of PZT and PMN-PT composite sol-gel thick films. The images of the piezoelectric response and the strain-electric field hysteresis loop behavior were measured. The effective piezoelectric coefficient (d33,eff) of the films was determined from the measured loop data. It was found that the effective local piezoelectric coefficient of both PZT and PMN-PT composite films is comparable to that of their bulk ceramics. The promising results suggest that the modified composite sol-gel method is a promising way to prepare the high-quality, crack-free ceramic thick films.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Lam, Dr Koko
Authors: Liu, Y., Lam, K. H., Shung, K. K., Li, J., and Zhou, Q.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:Journal of Applied Physics
Publisher:American Institute of Physics
ISSN:0021-8979
ISSN (Online):1089-7550

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