Exploring ferroelectric domain engineering through ceramics texturing, for underwater acoustics applications

Textured ceramics are an established method for inducing exceptional properties in a ceramic material via epitaxial grain growth according to the template used, otherwise known as Template Grain Growth (TGG). The use of tape casting equipment allows for continuous fabrication of textured ceramics into desired shapes, sizes, and thicknesses for specific applications. Reports on the properties of textured ceramics describe ultrahigh properties under laboratory conditions with almost 100% TGG, a potentially unrealistic and unobtainable standard when considering upscaling to industrial-scale manufacturing for effective real-world applications. In this research, the author quantifies the effects of varying processing parameters that will affect the overall TGG of textured ceramics and subsequent piezoelectric, ferroelectric, and dielectric properties.