Large piezoelectric properties in KNN-based lead-free single crystals grown by a seed-free solid-state crystal growth method

Abstract

We report lead-free single crystals with a nominal formula of (K₀.₄₅Na₀.₅₅)₀.96Li₀.₀₄NbO₃grown using a simple low-cost seed-free solid-state crystal growth method (SFSSCG). The crystals thus prepared can reach maximum dimensions of 6 mm × 5 mm × 2 mm and exhibit a large piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃ of 689 pC/N. Moreover, the effective piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃*, obtained under a unipolar electric field of 30 kV/cm, can reach 967 pm/V. The large piezoelectric response plus the high Curie temperature (TC) of 432 °C indicate that SFSSCG is an effective approach to synthesize high-performance lead-free piezoelectricsingle crystals. Show more