Polarization response and thermally stimulated depolarization currents of the modified (Ba,Ca) (Zr,Ti)O3 piezoelectric ceramics

Polarization response and defect mechanism of the (Ba,Ca) (Zr,Ti)O3 piezoelectric ceramics by doping modification were intensively investigated. The Al-doping leads to the reduced piezoelectric polarization responses, but optimizes fatigue resistance and the quality factor, showing the acceptor characteristics. A way to test thermally stimulated depolarization currents (TSDC) is utilized to distinguish the role of defect dipole from oxygen vacancy and uncover the intrinsic reason of improving cyclic fatigue behavior. It has been confirmed that the improvement of fatigue behavior can be attributed to the formation of oxygen vacancies by Al doping. The present study gives a promising method to reveal the origin of piezoelectric characteristics based on defect configuration in advanced dielectrics.