Semiconductor/relaxor 0–3 type composites without thermal depolarization in Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-based lead-free piezoceramics

Piezoelectric materials are used as sensors or actuators in many devices. Here, the authors demonstrate that semiconducting ZnO particles embedded into a Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-based matrix improve its piezoelectric properties, promising an alternative to presently used lead-based materials.