Effect of Zr/Ti ratio on piezoelectric properties of Pb(Ni1/3Sb2/3)O3–Pb(ZrTi)O3 ceramics

Piezoceramic compositions [Pb(Ni1/3Sb2/3)]0.02–[Pb(Zr1−yTiy)]0.98O3 with y = 0.46–0.50 were synthesized by solid state route to study the effect of Zr/Ti ratio on crystal structure, microstructure, piezoelectric and dielectric properties. Calcination was performed at 1060 °C. The specimens were sintered at 1280 °C for 1 h. X-ray diffraction studies indicate the co-existence of tetragonal and rhombohedral perovskite phases in these compositions. Microstructural analysis showed the dense and uniform microstructure for [Pb(Ni1/3Sb2/3)]0.02–[Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)]0.98O3. This composition was resulted in optimum values of properties viz. charge constant (d33 = 301 × 10−12 C/N), voltage constant (g33 = 33.7 × 10−3 V m/N), product of piezoelectric charge constant and voltage constant (d33 × g33 = 10.12 × 10−12 C V m/N2) and coupling factor (kp = 0.63). Results indicated that this material composition could be suitable for power harvesting and sensor applications.