Boosting the photostriction properties of (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3-based ceramics modulated by introducing Ba(Ni0.5Nb0.5)O3−δ

Photostrictive materials have been widely studied due to their extensive applications in the wireless remote control technology. Compared with other materials that have been studied, (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3(KNN)-based ceramics have a more environment-friendly and stable application prospect. Hence, a series of (1 − x)(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3–xBa(Ni0.5Nb0.5)O3−δ (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, and 0.06) (KNN–BNNO) ceramics have been prepared via a solid-state reaction method to obtain excellent photostriction properties. The appropriate addition of Ba(Ni0.5Nb0.5)O3−δ not only enhances the photostriction properties but also improves the dielectric properties. Besides, a considerable photostrictive coefficient (1.34 × 10−9 m2 W−1) and shorter response time of the maximum photo-induced strain (270 s) have been obtained for the 0.98(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3–0.02Ba(Ni0.5Nb0.5)O3−δ ceramics. A large blue shift appears as the illumination intensity increases from 0.7 W cm−2 to 70 W cm−2 in the Raman spectrum of the 0.98(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3–0.02Ba(Ni0.5Nb0.5)O3−δ ceramics, which indicates that a compressive strain is produced in a specific direction.