Electrostrain optimization of bismuth sodium titanate‐based ceramics by Sm doping

Abstract Lead‐free bismuth sodium titanate (BNT)‐based ceramics have attracted extensive attention due to their large electrostrain. However, previous studies have predominantly focused on achieving high strain, which is accompanied by significant strain hysteresis. Herein, a direct composition modification based on Sm 3+ doping is adopted to reduce the polar nanoregions (PNRs) size, resulting in a relative high electrostrain of 0.37% and a significant reduced strain hysteresis of 36.3%. Furthermore, the Sm‐doped samples show good temperature stability, with the strain value changing by only 15% from 25 to 160°C. These results provide guidance for the development of ceramics with high strain performance.