Effects of the Poling Process on Piezoelectric Properties in Lead Zirconate Titanate Ceramics

Abstract

The influence of ferroelectric poling temperature and electric field amplitude on the piezoelectric coefficient d₃₃ is investigated in a commercial lead zirconate titanate ceramic. A strong dependence of the electric field amplitude on the direct d₃₃ coefficient is observed. The converse d₃₃ piezoelectric coefficient of samples poled at specific conditions is measured and interpreted in the context of Rayleigh Law. Samples poled at higher temperatures and electric fields exhibit both a higher direct d₃₃ coefficient and a higher extrinsic contribution to the converse d₃₃ coefficient than samples which are less highly poled. Possible microstructural origins for this behavior are discussed.

Keywords:

• Piezoelectric
• electrical poling
• Rayleigh Law

Acknowledgment

The authors acknowledge Dr. Juan C. Nino at the University of Florida for the use of equipment on which to measure strain as well as helpful discussions on this topic with Dr. Abhijit Pramanick and Dr. Dragan Damjanovic.

Supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation through Award No. DMR-0746902, OISE-0755170, the US Department of the Army through award number W911NF-09-1-0435, the Florida Educational Fund, and the Sloan Foundation.