Piezoelectric Ceramic Hardening Through Defect Distribution Optimization in Multicomponent Systems

Abstract Acceptor doping is a common method for hardening modified piezoelectric ceramics. The mechanism through which the hardening effect can be improved has been widely studied and verified. However, the effect of defects caused by different valence states of the B‐site ions on the properties of multicomponent piezoelectric ceramics remains to be discussed. Therefore, in this work, a novel Pb(Ni 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 –Pb(In 1/2 Nb 1/2 )O 3 –Pb(Mn 1/3 Nb 1/2 )–PbTiO 3 quaternary hard ceramic with excellent performance is prepared and studied. The interaction between grain‐boundary defects and defect dipoles is proposed to be the mechanism behind the observed excellent performance. It is found that different types of defects improve the hardening effect in various ways. These results can provide a theoretical basis for the preparation of multicomponent piezoelectric ceramics with better properties.