Achieving Both High d 33 and High Q m for the Pb(Zr0.26Sn0.26Ti0.48)1−x Fe x O3−x/2 Ternary System for Use in High-Power Ultrasonic Transducers

Abstract

For applications in high power ultrasonic transducers, both high piezoelectric coefficients d 33 and high mechanical quality factor Q m are essential. In this work, acceptor-doped Pb(Zr0.26Sn0.26Ti0.48)1−x Fe x O3−x/2 ferroelectric ceramics with compositions near the morphotropic phase boundary were prepared by routine solid-state reaction. By introducing Fe3+ ion into the perovskite crystal lattices, defect dipoles resulting from Fe3+ ions and oxygen vacancies are formed, pinning extrinsic domain wall motion, and hence increasing Q m but reducing d 33. It was found that substitution with 0.5 mol% Fe3+ resulted in high d 33 (390 pC/N) and high Q m (540). The nonlinear dielectric responses of these ceramics were evaluated on the basis of the Rayleigh law. Both Rayleigh coefficients, $$\alpha$$ and $$\kappa_{\rm{init}},$$ are reduced by doping with the acceptor ion Fe3+, indicating that the intrinsic contribution and reversible domain wall mobility are both reduced.