Study of nanoscale domain structure and elastic response of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics by scanning probe microscopy

The nanoscale domain structure and variation of local elasticity in lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were investigated using home-made piezoresponse force microscope (PFM) and low-frequency scanning probe acoustic microscope (SPAM) based on a commercial atomic force microscope. The static domain structure and domain dynamics during polarization reversal were studied by PFM, while SPAM investigations showed the elastic and subsurface ferroelectrics structures. PFM and SPAM provided powerful tools for measurements of the local electromechanical and elastic properties of lead-free piezoelectric ceramics.