Enhanced piezoelectric properties in low-temperature sintered Pb(Zr,Ti)O3-based ceramics via Yb2O3 doping

Abstract

Pb(Mg[Formula: see text]W[Formula: see text])O3–Pb(Ni[Formula: see text]Nb[Formula: see text])O3–Pb(Zr[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text])O3 (PNN–PMW–PZT) piezoceramics were sintered at a low temperature of 900∘C by the mixed metal oxide powder solid-state reaction route. CaCO3 and Li2CO3 as sintering aids and Yb2O3 as a dopant were added into the PNN–PMW–PZT ceramic system for low-temperature sintering and enhancement of electrical properties, respectively. The effects of different Yb2O3 doping amounts on the microstructure, dielectric, piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties of the samples were systematically investigated. The piezoceramics doped with 0.1[Formula: see text]mol% Yb2O3 have optimal electrical properties ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]pC/N, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] (1[Formula: see text]kHz), [Formula: see text] (1[Formula: see text]kHz), and [Formula: see text]C). While the piezoceramics doped with 0.3[Formula: see text]mol% Yb2O3 have optimal energy conversion properties: the piezoelectric voltage coefficient [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]Vm/N and the effective piezoelectric energy conversion coefficient [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m2/N.