Point defect or doping in Strontium titanium oxide (STO) largely determines the thermoelectric (TE) properties. So far, insufficient knowledge exists on the impact of double Schottky barrier on the TE performance. Herein, we report a drastic effect of double Schottky barrier on the TE performance in undoped STO. It demonstrates that incorporation of Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) into undoped STO weakens the double Schottky barrier and thereby results in a simultaneous increase in both carrier concentration and mobility of undoped STO. The enhanced mobility exhibits single crystal-like behavior. This increase in the carrier concentration and mobility boosts the electrical conductivity and power factor of undoped STO, which is attributed to the reduction of the double Schottky barrier height and/or the band alignment of STO and RGO that allow the charge transfer through the interface at grain boundaries. Furthermore, this STO/RGO interface also enhances the phonon scattering, which results in low thermal conductivity. This strategy significantly increases the ratio of σ/κ, resulting in an enhancement in ZT as compared with pure undoped STO. This study opens a new window to optimize the TE properties of many candidate materials.

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Lead‐free piezoelectric ceramics, 0.96[{Bi0.5 (Na0.84K0.16)0.5}1−xLix(Ti1−yNby)O3]–0.04SrTiO3 (BNKLiTN–ST) with x, y = 0–0.030, were synthesized by solid‐state reaction method. X‐ray diffraction patterns indicated that Li and Nb successfully diffused into the BNKT–ST lattice and formed a pure perovskite structure with x, y ≤ 0.025. Increasing the Li and Nb contents (x, y = 0.020) induced a phase transformation from the coexistent rhombohedral–tetragonal phases for pure BNKT–ST ceramics to a pseudocubic phase, resulting in degradation of the remnant polarization and coercive field. However, the field‐induced strain was markedly enhanced at x, y = 0.020, giving rise to a giant dynamic piezoelectric constant (d33* = Smax/Emax = 800 pm/V). Furthermore, the temperature dependence of the field‐induced strain response showed temperature‐insensitivity up to 120°C. To explore its potential for device applications, a 10‐layered stack‐type multilayer actuator was fabricated from the optimal composition (x, y = 0.020). This actuator showed a large Smax/Emax of 600 pm/V at a relatively low driving field of 4.5 kV/mm suggesting highly promising results in lead‐free BNT‐based ceramics.

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