The piezoelectric effect in Pb[(Fe_1/3Sb_2/3)_xTi_yZr_z]O₃ ceramics

Abstract

The piezoelectric properties of Pb[(Fe_1/3Sb_2/3) _x Ti _y Zr _z ]O₃ with x + y + z = 1, x = 0.1, y = 0.43–0.48 ceramics have been investigated over a broad temperature range using a resonance technique. The influence of modification of PZT normal ferroelectric synthesized near the morphotropic phase boundary by a relaxor Pb(Fe_1/3Sb_2/3)O₃ compound on its physical properties was studied. The coefficients s ₁₁, k ₃₁, and d ₃₁ were calculated from the parameters characterizing the behavior of damped harmonic oscillator in the vicinity of the piezoelectric resonance. Several anomalies of the piezoelectric coefficients have been found in the temperature range 300–600 K. Two diffuse phase transitions were observed in Pb[(Fe_1/3Sb_2/3) _x Ti _y Zr _z ]O₃. The anomaly near 530 K for y = 0.43 is responsible for the transition from the rhombohedral phase to the tetragonal one. For y > 0.44 this transition is found to be very diffuse and the coexistence of rhombohedral and tetragonal phases occurs. The observation of low piezoelectric activity confirms the existence of polar regions in Pb[(Fe_1/3Sb_2/3) _x Ti _y Zr _z ]O₃ above T _m.

Keywords:

• ferroelectric ceramics
• PZT
• phase transitions
• piezoelectric resonance

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Anna Łatkiewicz from Biology and Geology Science Scanning Microscope Laboratory of the Jagiellonian University for micrographic analysis.