Piezoelectric performance — composition relations in anisotropic materials based on Pb0.85Ca0.15-xCdxTi0.9Zr0.1O3 phases

Abstract

The effect of processing methods and a composition of ferroelectric (FE) (piezoelectric) phases on forming a microstructure of a ceramic framework during poling is studied in a ceramic material of the composition Pb 0.85 Ca 0.15-x Cd x Ti 0.9 Zr 0.1 O 3. A transition from using the solid-phase method for the synthesis of powder of a particular phase to a method of bulk "chemical assembly" leads to a change in the mechanical strength of the bulk granular medium and intergranular boundaries therein. Depending on a relationship between mechanical strength parameters of the studied materials, on poling the samples with a particular composition, anisotropic piezo-active composite materials with various connectivities of Pb 0.85 Ca 0.15-x Cd x Ti 0.9 Zr 0.1 O 3 phases can be obtained. These materials are characterized by various combinations of electrophysical properties and demonstrate advantages over the known anisotropic Pb Ti O 3-type ceramics. The fracture of ceramic grains during the poling process can be intensified by introducing FE phases with the composition comprising Cd 2+ ions with a smaller radius and a most deformability in comparison to the Ca 2+ ion.