Structural and Piezoelectric Properties of (1-x)Pb(Zr1-yTiy)O-3-xPb(Zn0.4Ni0.6)(1/3)Nb2/3O3 Ceramics Near Triple Point

Abstract

The crystal structure and piezoelectric properties of (1-x)Pb(Zr1-yTiy)O-3-xPb(Zn0.4Ni0.6)(1/3)Nb2/3O3 [(1-x)PZ(1-y)T(y)-xPZNN] ceramics were investigated. The 0.665PZ(0.45)T(0.55)-0.335PZNN ceramic has the triple point composition, where the rhombohedral, pseudocubic, and tetragonal structures coexist. Maximum d(33) and k(p) values of 770pC/N and 0.69, respectively, were observed from this specimen; it also exhibited a large epsilon(T)(33)/epsilon(o) value of 3250. Although the maximum d(33) value was obtained from the triple point composition specimen, its g(33) and d(33)xg(33) values were relatively small because of its large epsilon(T)(33)/epsilon(o) value. However, the 0.665PZ(0.46)T(0.54)-0.335PZNN ceramic, which has a rhombohedral structure, exhibited a large g(33) value of 43x10(-3)Vm/N and a d(33)xg(33) value of 27000x10(-15)m(2)/N. Therefore, this ceramic is a good candidate for multilayer actuators and piezoelectric energy harvesters.