Dielectric properties of CaCu3Ti4O12/Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 composite ceramics

A new composite ceramics of CaCu3Ti4O12/Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 have been designed and fabricated to reduce the dielectric loss with certain higher dielectric constant. Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 was coated on the surface of CaCu3Ti4O12 particles, and then the composite particles were sintered to obtain CaCu3Ti4O12/Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 composite ceramics using conventional technologies which include the spark plasma sintering. The phase composition and microstructure were studied by means of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The result shows that the ceramics are composed of CaCu3Ti4O12, Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 phases (this phase mainly exists at the grain boundary) and some impurities. It is also found that the grain size and the grain shape of composite ceramics are greatly affected by interfacial coating of Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3. The impedance spectrum measurement result shows that the CaCu3Ti4O12/Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 composite ceramics with the Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 content of 20% has the highest dielectric constant and the lowest dielectric loss.

► In this study, PZT was coated on CCTO particles surface as an interfacial layer of CCTO to modify the interfacial properties of CCTO ceramics.
► The grain size of CCTO/PZT composite ceramics decreases with the PZT content increasing.
► The grain shape of CCTO alternates to cuboid-like shape.
► Dielectric properties of pure CCTO were modified using PZT interface phase and short sintering time by SPS technology.
► The composite ceramics with 20% PZT shows the best modification on its dielectric properties.