Achieving high piezoelectric performance in Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 ferroelectric single crystals through pulse poling technique

To maximize the piezoelectric performance of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 (PMN–PT) single crystals, a pulse poling (PP) method is proposed in this study. This study investigates the effects of pulse poling on the piezoelectric and dielectric properties of these PMN–PT single crystals and explores the polarization rotation mechanisms. Our findings indicate a significant improvement in the piezoelectric properties postpulse poling. The optimal PP conditions are identified as 30 pulse numbers at a pulsed electric field of 5 kV/cm. The dielectric constant ɛT33/ɛ0 and piezoelectric coefficient d33 of PMN–0.28PT post PP are 7000–7700 and 2200–2530 pC/N, respectively, representing increases of 49% and 66% compared with those of postdirect current poling (DCP). Additionally, the domain structures of the PMN–0.28PT single crystals after various DCP and PP treatments are examined and compared using piezoelectric force microscopy. The enhanced piezoelectric properties are attributed to the finer domain structures, as well as increased domain wall density achieved through PP. This research introduces a novel domain engineering approach to improve the electromechanical properties of relaxor ferroelectric single crystals.