M. Livinsh

Structure and properties of hot-pressed Pb(Lu1/2Nb1/2)O3-PbTiO3 binary system ceramics

Solid solution series of the (1 - x)Pb(Lu1/2Nb1/2)O3 - x PbTiO3 binary system ceramics (PLuNT) were synthesized and hot-pressed (temperature 950°C to 1130°C, pressure 25 MPa); its structure, dielectric and piezoelectric properties were studied. Pure lutecium niobate PLuN (x = 0) has a pronounced long-range order in the B-sublattice and an antiferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition at ∼258°C. The phase structure of the PLuNT system, at room temperature, changes from a pseudomonoclinic (psd-M, space group Bmm2) to tetragonal (T, space group P4mm). The pseudomonoclinic phase extends over the 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.38 interval within which the monoclinic angle β proceeds a minimum near to 90° at x ≅ 0.2. The morphotropic region covers the interval x = 0.38 - 0.49, the concentration ratio psd-M:T≅ 1 (the morphotropic phase boundary—MPB) corresponds to x = 0.41. Within the morphotropic region, a rather strong distortion of the unit cell—(c/a - 1)≥ 0.02, β ≥ 90.37º, characteristic of “hard” piezoelectrics is maintained. Dielectric dispersion and broadening of the phase transition, features typical to relaxors, are observed within the concentration interval of 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.3. The highest electromechanical coupling coefficients: kp = 0.66, kt = 0.48, k31 = 0.34 of (1 - x) PLuN−xPT ceramics are attained in compositions near the MPB at x ≈ 0.41. Non-isovalent doping of PLuNT with La3+ in Pb sublattice shifts the MPB to lower values of x.

SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SB-SUBSTITUTED (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 PIEZOELECTRIC CERAMICS

ABSTRACT Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics (K0.5Na0.5)(Nb1-xSbx)O3+0.5 mol.%MnO2, where x = 0 ÷ 0.10, with single phase structure and rhombohedral symmetry at room temperature were prepared by conventional ceramic technology. The optimal sintering temperatures of compositions were within 1100°–1140°C. MnO2 functions as a sintering aid and effectively improves the densification. The samples reached density from 4.26 g/cm3 for undoped (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 to 4.40 g/cm3 for Mn/Sb5+ co-doped ceramics. The co-effects of MnO2 doping and Sb5+ substitution lead to significant improvement in dielectric and piezoelectric properties: ϵ at the Tc increased from 6000 (KNN) to 12400 (x = 0.04), d33 = 92 ÷ 192 pC/N, kp = 0.32 ÷ 0.46, kt = 0.34 ÷ 0.48.

SINTERING OF LEAD-FREE (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 BASED SOLID SOLUTION

ABSTRACT In this study lead-free solid solution (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 was prepared, structure, dielectric parameters of ceramics were investigated. The doping of sintering aids did not affect the crystallographic structure of the ceramics significantly; all ceramic samples had a single-phase perovskite structure. Added elements CdO, ZnO, MnO2, V2O5 effectively decreased the sintering temperature of KNN by 50°–80°C. All sintering aids influenced sinterability, microstructure and dielectric properties of ceramics. Dielectric constant for doped samples increased from 6000 up to 8000; Pr = 15 μC/cm2, Ec = 9 kV/cm, d33 = 110 pC/N, kp = 0.38 and Qm = 190 for MnO2 doped samples.

New ferroelectric materials on the basis of PbSc1/2Nb1/2O3–PbLu1/2Nb1/2O3 solid solutions

Abstract Original binary solid solutions PbSc 1/2 Nb 1/2 O 3 –PbLu 1/2 Nb 1/2 O 3 (PSN-PLuN) have been produced. First of all nominally pure PSN and PLuN were synthesized by solid state reaction from oxides and carbonates. These compounds were mixed in different proportions to obtain (1− x )PSN− x PLuN solid solutions. Ceramic samples were hot-pressed at gradual change of the temperature. Solid solutions have the perovskite structure and are completely soluble in each other. Differential thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction were used to examine the synthesis and phase constitution. Dielectric properties—dielectric permittivity e and dielectric loss tan δ of ceramic samples of originally synthesized PbSc 1/2 Nb 1/2 O 3 –PbLu 1/2 Nb 1/2 O 3 (PSN−PLuN) solid solution series were measured as functions of temperature. In (1− x )PSN− x PLuN solid solutions the phase transition temperature drops at small values x further proceeding through a minimum.

Morphotropic ceramic solid solutions of the Pb(B3+ ½Nb½)O3 - PbTiO3 binary system

Abstract The structure, dielectric, ferroelectric and electromechanical properties of lead lutecium niobate-titanate (PLuNT) and lead erbium niobate-titanate (PErNT) binary systems are reported. The data of phase diagram, crystallographic symmetry and morphotropic phase boundaries (MPB) are provided. High values of the electromechanical coupling coefficients kp = 0.66, kt = 0.48, k31 = 0.36 of (1−x)PLuN − xPT ceramics are attained in compositions near the MPB at x≈0.41.

Modified YBCO superconductor-ferroelectric composites: Bulk materials and thick films

Bulk samples and 50–125 μm thick films of (1-x)YBa2Cu3O7−δ-xBaTiO3 (0⩽x⩽0.12 by weight) composites have been synthesized, the films being obtained by Stokes sedimentation on SrTiO3 ceramic plates and firing in oxygen by Melt Textured Growth techniques.The phase composition and texture have been studied by X-ray diffraction and microstructure. Resistance and magnetic susceptibility of prepared samples have been measured.

Electrical Characterization of the Fe-Doped BT Ceramics by an Impedance Spectroscopy

The electric properties of the Fe - doped BaTiO3 ceramics was investigated as a function of frequency and temperature. The structure and morphology of investigated sample were characterized by an X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The impedance measurements were carried out at the temperature ranging from 450 K to 600 K, and at the frequency range from 0.1 Hz to 10 MHz. Based on these parameters the electrical properties of the grains and grains boundaries were described. The bulk and grains boundaries resistance of ceramics and the thermal activation energies were determined.

INFLUENCE OF ZIRCONIUM ON STRUCTURAL, MICROSTRUCTURAL AND FERROELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF BaZr0.20Ti0.80O3 CERAMIC

ABSTRACT Barium zirconium titanate BaZrxTi1-xO3 ceramics have been obtained by conventional method. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the BaZr0.20Ti0.80O3 crystallizes in the cubic structure. The lattice parameter a increases with temperature, at temperature ∼308 K a small deviation is observed. The performed EDS study revealed that the samples were perfectly sintered and that the material was chemically homogeneous. It contains a little glassy phase and the grains are well shaped. The zirconium content (20 mol%) in the examined solid solution caused downward shift of the temperature T m . The increase of the achieved permittivity values ϵm was observed as well.

Investigation of mechanical and electrical properties of Li doped sodium niobate ceramic system

ABSTRACT The Na0.96Li0.04NbO3 ceramic solid solution was prepared by means of a two-stage hot-pressing technology. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed the formation of a single perovskite phase with an orthorhombic symmetry in the investigated composition. The microstructure and EDS measurements were performed. They confirmed the high purity and the expected qualitative composition. A good homogeneity of the microstructures and a small degree of porosity were observed. The elastic modulus (the Youngs modulus E, shear modulus G, and Poissons ratio ν) of Na0.96Li0.04NbO3 were determined with the use of an ultrasonic method. The electrical properties of Na0.96Li0.04NbO3 ceramics were investigated at the frequency ranging from 0.5 kHz to 200 kHz, and the temperature ranging from room temperature to 750 K. The test sample shows a dielectric dispersion.

Processing, basic characterization and standard dielectric measurements on PLZT x/65/35 (4 ≤ x ≤ 11) ceramics

The influence of external stress (0–800 bar) on the dielectric properties of lead lanthanum zirconium titanate (PLZT) x/65/35 (4 ≤ x ≤ 11) ceramics was investigated. Applying uniaxial pressure leads to a change in the peak intensity of the electric permittivity (ϵ), in its frequency dispersion as well as in the dielectric hysteresis. The peak intensity of ϵ becomes broader and shifts to lower temperatures for PLZT x/65/35 with x = 4, 7, 9.75 and 11, with increasing pressure, on heating. It was concluded that applying uniaxial pressure induces an increase of Tm, and thus has a similar effect as the increase of the Ti ion concentration in the lead zirconium titanate (PZT) system. Results based on nanoregion switching processes under combined electromechanical loading were interpreted. Studies clearly showed that applied stress has a significant influence on the dielectric properties of PLZT ceramics.