Synthesis and piezoelectric properties of Li-doped BaTiO3 by a solvothemial approach

Li-doped BaTiO3 particles with the Li+ mole fraction, x, of 0-0.06 were synthesized by a solvothermal approach at 200 degrees C. The products consisted of nanoparticles of 50-100 nm in diameter. The sinterability and piezoelectric property of Li-doped BaTiO3 were improved by doping with Li ion, i.e., the Li-doped BaTiO3 samples could be sintered to almost full theoretical density (>95%) at a low temperature such as 1100 degrees C, and the highest piezoelectric constant, d(33) (260 pC/N) and electromechanical coupling factor, k(p) (43.7%) could be realized at x value of 0.03. The Curie temperatures of all samples were around 130 degrees C, and did not change very much depending on the amount of Li-doping. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.