Enhancing Piezoelectric Properties through Compositional and Microstructural Modification of Barium Titanate Films

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The increasing technologization of society, combined with the transition to renewable energy sources, requires materials and architectures that can handle and retrieve large amounts of data on short time scales and with minimal power consumption. As a result, piezoelectric materials have attracted significant research interest. However, lead-free BaTiO3-based piezoelectric materials currently cannot match the performance of traditional lead-based Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 materials. The MoBaFi project aims to address the challenge of enhancing the piezoelectric response and increasing the Curie temperature of lead-free BaTiO3-based materials. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for improving performance and advancing applications. The scientific approach of the MoBoFi project will focus on developing sophisticated compositional and microstructural modifications in BaTiO3-based films, along with an understanding of the relationship between microstructure-property via in situ characterizations. This project facilitates a two-way and transdisciplinary transfer of knowledge between (1) the applicant’s expertise in the chemical solution deposition (CSD) method and ex situ microstructural characterization, (2) the strong expertise of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method and in situ ferroelectric characterization at the research group of University of Twente (Host, Supervisor Prof. Gertjan Koster), and (new) the applicant’s own trajectory in building expertise in in situ microstructural characterizations. A secondment will take place at two departments of Ghent University (Prof. Klaartje De Buysser and Prof. Stefaan Cottenier) for size-controlled nanocrystal synthesis and computational screening of ABO3 perovskites. This MSCA-PF will certainly contribute to training the applicant in new scientific and transferable skills, enhancing the career perspectives to become an independent and mature researcher in the EU in the near future.