Study on Pb(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3–Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)O3–Pb(ZrxTi1−x)O3 high power piezoelectric ceramics near the morphotropic phase boundary

Pb(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3–Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)O3–Pb(ZrxTi1−x)O3 quaternary piezoelectric ceramics with different compositions near the morphotropic phase boundary were synthesized using a conventional solid state reaction method. The phases, microstructures, ferroelectric, piezoelectric and dielectric properties of the system were investigated. A transition from rhombohedral to tetragonal phase was observed as the Zr/Ti ratio decreased. The P–E loops presented pinched shapes at low electric fields and the distortions disappeared at high electric fields. The dielectric study revealed a diffuse phase transition behavior in the ceramics. The optimal dielectric and piezoelectric properties ɛr = 817, d33 = 285 pC/N, kp = 0.55, TC = 302 °C, tan δ = 0.4% and Qm = 1600 of the ceramics were obtained at the composition of Zr/Ti = 50/50. Vibration velocity at ΔT = 20 °C was found as high as 0.74 m/s for this composition, which was almost 2.5 times as that of the commercial hard PZT ceramics.

Research highlights▶ Good “soft” and “hard” properties of Pb(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3–Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)O3–Pb(ZrxTi1−x)O3 (PMgT–PMS–PZT) ceramics were obtained at Zr/Ti of 50/50 and vibration velocity of the composition at ΔT = 20 °C is found as high as 0.74 m/s, which is nearly 2.5 times of the commercial hard PZT ceramics. ▶ The P–E loops present pinched shapes at low electric fields and the distortions disappear at high electric fields. ▶ The Pr exhibits a highest value near the MPB, which is quite different from those of bulk PZT single crystals and single-crystal PZT films where Pr proved to have the lowest value both theoretically and experimentally.