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(Zr1-xTix)O3 ceramics (PZT-based ceramics). In order to draw qualitative comparisons between their material properties, pure or undoped PZT [Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3] and doped PZTs (PSZT [Pb0.95Sr0.05(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3], PLZT [Pb0.98La0.02(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3], and PLSZT [Pb0.93La0.02Sr0.05(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3]) 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 °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 > 90%. La-doped PZT had the best piezoelectric properties with d33 of 372 pC/N and kp of 0.510; in addition, better dielectric properties, i.e., ɛr 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 g/cm3) and low porosity (0.154), which was clearly observed in its microstructure.