The influence of sintering conditions on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of PbZrTiO–PbMgNbO ceramic tubes

Piezoelectric tube actuators with a composition of 0.9Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3–0.1Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (0.9PZT–0.1PMN) have been prepared using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method. The effect of sintering temperature on the phase formation, densification, microstructure, dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the 0.9PZT–0.1PMN system was investigated. The results show that when the sintering temperature varies from 1150 to 1300 °C, the tubes exhibit single perovskite structure with coexistence of rhombohedral and tetragonal phase. The P–E hysteresis loops reveal the ferroelectric nature of 0.9PZT–0.1PMN system. The tip deflection of the tube upon the applied voltage shows typical butterfly loop, which is a feature of piezoelectric systems. It was found that both dielectric and piezoelectric constants increase with increasing sintering temperature up to 1250 °C. When exceeding 1250 °C, the evaporation of PbO degrades the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the PZT–PMN. The sample packing technique during sintering is also critically important for obtaining good properties.