Enhanced piezoelectric coefficient and mechanical performance of Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbZrO3–PbTiO3 ferroelectric ceramics by Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)O3 modification

Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)O3-modified (≤4 mol%) ferroelectric ceramics 0.5Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.14PbZrO3–0.36PbTiO3 were successfully fabricated by the solid-state reaction method to investigate its influences on the phase structure and piezoelectricity as well as mechanical properties. The addition of Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)O3 (PMS) led to a phase transformation from tetragonal to rhombohedral and a slightly increased average grain size. The compositions modified by PMS mainly displayed “harden” effect, accompanying with the increase of mechanical quality factor Qm and internal bias field Ei. The mechanical properties of the ceramics were strengthened monotonously with the addition of PMS, while the piezoelectric coefficient showed a peak value of d33⁎~1058 pm/V when the PMS content equaled to 1 mol%. Fairly good electrical properties and mechanical performance of d33⁎~1036 pm/V (E=1 kV/mm), planar electromechanical coupling factor kp~0.53, dielectric loss (1 kHz)~0.4%, Young’s modulus E~120.8 GPa, fracture toughness KIc~1.44 MPa m1/2 were achieved in the sample with the addition of 2 mol% PMS, which makes it promising for applications in piezoactuators, transducers and sensors.