High Piezoelectricity and Strong Field Endurance in Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃-Rich Textured Ceramics

Simultaneously achieving ultrahigh piezoelectricity (including high piezoelectric constant d₃₃ and strain) along with enhanced field endurance (characterized by high coercive field E_C and Curie temperature T_c) is critical for high-drive electromechanical applications. However, this remains a major challenge, as high piezoelectricity typically arises from an easy polarization rotation enabled by low ferroelectric anisotropy, while strong thermal/stress/electric field endurance requires high anisotropy. Here, a multifaceted design strategy is proposed that combines structural distortions and crystallographic anisotropy. This approach is successfully demonstrated in Pb(Yb_1/2Nb_1/2)O₃ (PYN) modified and [001] textured PbZr_1-xTi_xO₃ (PZT)-rich ceramics via a one-step templated grain growth method. As a specific representative, 0.5% Eu-doped 0.1PYN -0.9PZT textured ceramics, shows an outstanding d₃₃ of 950 pC N⁻¹ and d₃₃* of 1927 pm V⁻¹, an ultrahigh strain of 0.65%, a large E_C of 10 kV cm⁻¹, and a high T_C of 360 °C. High-resolution electron microscopy and phase-field simulations confirm that these high performances originate from the synergistic design of a highly distorted matrix (via PYN incorporation), local structural heterogeneity induced by Eu-doping, and crystallographic anisotropy achieved through texturing. This study successfully offers a cost-effective new route for the design of ultrahigh piezoelectricity and enhanced field endurance piezoceramics.