Determination of the effect of temperature and sintering time on the growth of lead-free piezoelectric single crystals produced by the seed-free solid state reaction route

• Grant number: 23/08484-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2023
• End date: September 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Manuel Henrique Lente
• Grantee: Rodrigo Galdino Cardoso
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/13769-1 - Multiferroic and ferroelectric materials for energy converters: synthesis, properties, phenomenology and applications, AP.TEM

Abstract

In this project, it is proposed the investigation of the effects of the temperature and sintering time on the growth of (Na,K)NbO3 doped with CuO piezoelectric single crystals, obtained by reaction in solid state and without the use of seed (seed-free SSCG). Through a systematic work to determine the best temperatures and sintering times, we will optimize the growth of single crystals by this route, aiming to obtain piezoelectric single crystals of large size and with high chemical and structural homogeneity. To verify the electrical properties of the obtained crystals, aiming at potential applications, we will carry out dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric characterizations. At the end of this project we intend, in addition to contributing to the training of fellows in the area of piezoelectric single crystal growth, to contribute to a better understanding of the sintering processes and parameters that govern the growth of (Na,K)NbO3 single crystals produced by the seed method -free SSCG.