Giant electrostriction in textured La2Ce2O7 ceramics: A promising lead-free alternative for electromechanical conversion

Abstract

The search for high-performance, lead-free materials with tailored electromechanical properties is crucial for the advancement of energy harvesting and actuator technologies. While piezoelectric materials offer promising solutions, balancing high piezoelectric response with low dielectric permittivity remains a significant challenge. Recent research has highlighted the potential of “giant” electrostriction as an alternative approach, offering substantial electromechanical responses with more favorable electrical properties. This work investigates the electrostrictive and dielectric properties of non-textured and textured La2Ce2O7 ceramics. Our findings reveal a substantial electrostrictive coefficient [M33 ≈ 10−18 (m/V)2, exceeding conventional electrostrictive materials], coupled with a high effective piezoelectric response (d33eff = 40 pm/V at E = 100 kV/cm) and a high effective piezoelectric voltage coefficient (g33eff = 146–205 × 10−3 Vm/N). Notably, [111]-texturing of La2Ce2O7 significantly reduces dielectric losses, further enhancing its suitability for energy harvesting and actuator applications. The combination of electromechanical and dielectric properties creates conditions for high energy-harvesting performance, comparable to lead-containing ceramics and far superior to lead-free alternatives. Combined with temperature stability and compatibility with Si-based microfabrication, La2Ce2O7 emerges as a promising lead-free alternative for high-performance electromechanical energy conversion applications.