Thermal depolarization and electromechanical hardening in Zn ²⁺ ?doped Na _1/2 Bi _1/2 TiO ₃ ?BaTiO ₃

Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3-based materials have been earmarked for one of the first large-volume applications lead-free piezoceramics in high-power ultrasonics. Zn2+-doping is demonstrated as a viable route to enhance thermal depolarization temperature and electromechanically harden (1-y)Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3-yBaTiO3 (NBT100yBT) with maximum achievable operating 150 °C mechanical quality factor 627 1 mole % Zn2+-doped NBT6BT. Although quenching from sintering temperatures has recently touted TF-R, doped compositions featuring an additional increase TF-R by 17 °C, it exhibits negligible effect on electromechanical properties. The rationalized considering missing influence conductivity therefore, changes defect chemistry upon quenching. High-resolution diffraction indicates that samples favor tetragonal phase enhanced lattice distortion, further corroborated 23Na Nuclear Magnetic Resonance investigations.