Output details
13 - Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials
University of Sheffield : B - Materials Science and Engineering
Nano- and mesoscale structure of Na1/2 Bi1/2 TiO3 : A TEM Perspective
Sodium bismuth titanate (NBT) based ceramics are the leading PbO-free contenders to replace lead zirconate titanate (PZT) in sensor, actuator and micromotor applications. The paper uses transmission electron microscopy to provide data for a new, ‘continuous octahedral tilting’ model for the structure of NBT which explains why the lattice exhibits large distortions under electric field. The paper is becoming renowned for rationalizing previously confusing results in the literature and has inspired new understanding of the crystal chemistry of NBT and related compounds (e.g. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevB.87.104113), facilitating breakthroughs in the design of new PbO-free ceramics for piezoelectric applications.