Improving the piezoelectric thermal stability by tailoring phase transition behavior in the new (1 − x)[0.65PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3–0.35PbTiO3]–xBiZn1/2Ti1/2O3 perovskite solid solutions

The phase transition behavior and its effect on thermal stability of the piezoelectric properties of the (1 − x)[0.65PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3–0.35PbTiO3]–xBiZn1/2Ti1/2O3 ceramics with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.06 were investigated. The phase transition from the monoclinic to tetragonal phase was determined by the dielectric constant and elastic constant measurements. The temperature independent piezoelectric response with −d31 = 188 pC/N was obtained from 175 to 337 K for the composition with x = 0.02. The enhanced thermal stability of piezoelectric response was achieved by shifting the monoclinic–tetragonal phase transition to the lower temperature.

► 0.65PMN–0.35PT-xBZT solid solutions were prepared for the first time.
► The M - T phase transition is diffused and shifted to the lower temperature.
► Diffused M-T phase transition enhanced thermal stability of piezoelectric properties.