Processing, Electro-Mechanical Behavior and Microstructure of Strontium Modified Lead Zirconate Titanate Ceramics

Abstract

Dense (Pb_0.9Sr_0.1)(Zr_1−xTi_x)O₃ (PSZT) ceramics, across the morphotropic phase boundary, are made by a modified oxide precursor route and tape lamination approach. The ferroelectric rhombohedral (F_R) phase changed to antiferroelectric tetragonal (AF_T) phase below the tolerance factor (t) of about 0.97 as the composition is systematically varied. Scanning electron micrograph showed a systematic decrease in grain size from the F_R to AF_T and a change in domain structure from 180° water mark to herringbone type pattern. The influence of electric field-induced AF to F phase transition on piezoelectric and strain behaviors is also studied. Polarization over 41 μC/cm² for F_R compositions and strain as high as 0.8% for certain composition on F-AF phase boundary are observed.

Keywords:

• PSZT
• (Pb_0.9Sr_0.1)(Zr_1−xTi_x)O₃
• morphotropic phase boundary
• electro- mechanical properties
• piezoelectric
• antiferroelectric

Acknowledgments

This material is based on work supported by the University of Cincinnati and National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect views of the National Science Foundation.