Structural, piezoelectric, and dielectric properties of PZT-based ceramics without excess lead oxide

Abstract

A number of previous research have been done on the excess PbO to improve the material properties of PZT-based ceramics. This study takes a step further by studying the consequences of controlled addition of PbO on the structural, piezoelectric, and dielectric properties of Pb(Zr 1-x Ti x )O 3 ceramics (PZT-based ceramics). In order to draw qualitative comparisons between their material properties, pure or undoped PZT [Pb(Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48 )O 3 ] and doped PZTs (PSZT [Pb 0.95 Sr 0.05 (Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48 )O 3 ], PLZT [Pb 0.98 La 0.02 (Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48 )O 3 ], and PLSZT [Pb 0.93 La 0.02 Sr 0.05 (Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48 )O 3 ]) were studied. The compositions were prepared through high-energy ball milling in a way to avoid calcination using controlled addition of PbO. After milling, pellets were formed from the mixtures, which were then sintered at 1150\xa0°C. The phase analysis of the sintered mixtures using XRD technique revealed the formation of a single perovskite phase in all the developed ceramics. All the undoped and doped ceramics have relative density of >\u200990%. La-doped PZT had the best piezoelectric properties with d 33 of 372\xa0pC/N and k p of 0.510; in addition, better dielectric properties, i.e., ɛ r of 1269 and tan δ of 0.050, were found. This good performance of the La-doped PZT is related to its high density (7.6\xa0g/cm 3 ) and low porosity (0.154), which was clearly observed in its microstructure.