The characteristics of low-temperature sintered PbTiO3 based ceramics and its applications

Samarium (Sm) modified lead titanate ceramics with a composition of (Pb0.85Sm0.1)(Ti0.98Mn0.02)O3 piezoceramics doped with SiO2 were prepared by conventional mixed-oxide method. Microstructural and compositional analyses of the PbTiO3-based ceramics have been carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effects of Si additives on the sintering temperature and piezoelectric properties of the ceramics have been investigated. We successfully showed that the SiO2 was helpful in lowering the sintering temperature from 1250 to 1100 °C and still keeps good piezoelectric and dielectric properties. Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices were fabricated and the properties, including phase velocity and temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF), were measured.