A new poling protocol for enhanced piezoelectricity in Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3
In this work, a way to improve the piezoelectric properties of Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 (BNT) is demonstrated by introducing a new poling protocol. A customized corona poling unit with a low temperature (77 K) sample stage is suggested. Using this protocol, the BNT sample is quenched from its paraelectric phase (T = 350{\deg}C) directly to its ferroelectric phase under corona discharge. Sample poled under this protocol showed an immense improvement (~38% increase) in the piezoelectric coefficient (d33) and 20% increase in the maximum unipolar piezoelectric strain (Smax).