Structural and functional properties of (1???x)PLZT�CxPBLBiN nanoceramic composites by high-energy mechanical activation technique

The dielectric and piezoelectric properties of (1 ? x)[(Pb_0.988La_0.012)(Zr_0.53Ti_0.47)_0.997O₃]?Cx[Pb_0.557Ba_0.38La_0.022Bi_0.02Nb₂O₆] composite system consisting of both perovskite tetragonal (4 mm) and tungsten bronze orthorhombic (m2 m) phases, prepared in situ by mechanical activation method are presented and discussed in relation to x (PBLBiN) variation. The crystal structure and morphology of the composites were examined with X-ray diffraction and scanning and transmission electron microscopes. Scanning electron micrographs showed structural homogeneity. Dielectric and piezoelectric properties were studied as a function of x to characterize electrical properties of composites. The presence of two trivalent ions (La³⁺ and Bi³⁺) in x resulted in high dielectric and piezoelectric properties. The possible mechanisms of mechanical activation technique of (1 ? x)PLZT?CxPBLBiN nanoceramic composite system are discussed. The optimum dielectric and piezoelectric properties were found in x = 0.6 in (1 ? x)PLZT?CxPBLBiN nanoceramic composite system which could be ideal for electromechanical and energy harvesting applications.     

Ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of (1 − x) (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3–xBaTiO3 ceramics

Lead-free ceramics based on bismuth sodium titanate (Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃, BNT)–barium titanate (BaTiO₃,BT) have been prepared by solid state reaction process. The (1?x)BNT–(x)BT (x = 0.01,0.03,0.05,0.07) ceramics were sintered at 1,150 °C for 4 h in air, show a pure perovskite structure. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that a solid solution is formed in (1?x)BNT–(x)BT ceramics with presence of a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) between rhombohedral and tetragonal at x = 0.07. Raman spectroscopy shows the splitting of (TO₃) mode at x = 0.07 confirming the presence of MPB region. The temperature dependence dielectric study shows a diffuse phase transition with gradual decrease in phase transition temperature (T_m). The dielectric constant and diffusivity increases with increase in BT content and is maximum at the MPB region. With the increase in BT content the maximum breakdown field increases, accordingly the coercive field (E_c) and remnant polarization (P_r) increases. The piezoelectric constant of (1 ? x)BNT–(x)BT ceramics increases with increase in BT content and maximum at x = 0.07, which is the MPB region. The BNT–BT system is expected to be a new and promising candidate for lead-free dielectric and piezoelectric material.     

High piezoelectric and dielectric properties of 0–3 PZT/cement composites by temperature treatment

Temperature treatment of 0–3 type PZT/cement composites before polarization yielded high dielectric and piezoelectric properties in materials with 50% PZT inclusions by volume and 50% cement matrix. Specimens were treated at seven temperatures from 23 °C to 150 °C and then applied by a 1.5 kV/mm poling field. The dielectric loss of the composites reduces at higher pretreatment temperatures, shorting the trigger time. Temperature treatment increased the piezoelectric strain factor d₃₃, the relative dielectric constant ε_r and the piezoelectric voltage factor g₃₃ of PZT/cement composites, but did not affect significantly the electromechanical coupling coefficient K_t. Piezoelectric factors reach stable values after 70 days of aging, and samples that were not temperature pretreated reached stable values earlier. Specimens pretreated at 150 °C exhibit d₃₃ = 106.3 pC/N and ε_r = 477 on the 70^th aging day, almost two times greater than the composites without temperature treatment. The resonance frequency of the composites on the 70th day decreases with increasing temperature, with the exception of 150 °C. Temperature pretreatment can also improve the phase angle of the composites. In addition, the effect of curing time for PZT/cement composites is an important factor to dominate the feasibility of polarization.     

Morphotropic phase boundary and electric properties in (1 − x)Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3–xBaSnO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

Lead-free piezoceramics of (1 ? x)Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃–xBaSnO₃ (BNT–BS, x = 0, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.06, 0.09 and 0.12) have been synthesized and investigated. A rhombohedral–tetragonal morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) exists near x = 0.03. The MPB composition shows improved electrical properties: the saturated polarization, remnant polarization, coercive field, piezoelectric coefficient, planar electromechanical coupling factor, and unipolar strain are 35.8, 28.5 μC/cm², and 4.5 kV/mm, 93 pC/N, 0.19, and 0.18 %, respectively. It is also found the introduction of BS can significantly enhance dielectric property. The structural and electrical properties are discussed by comparing with other BNT-based piezoceramics.     

Microstructure and electrical properties of (1 − x)K0.5Na0.5NbO3–x(Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.9)O3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

The (1 ? x)K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃ ? x(Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)(Zr_0.1Ti_0.9)O₃ (KNN–BCTZ) lead-free ceramics were fabricated by conventional solid-state sintering technique. The microstructure and electrical properties of the ceramics were investigated. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the ceramics formed a single phase perovskite solid solutions with the symmetry of orthorhombic at x < 0.03. The crystal phase of the ceramics changed from orthorhombic phase to pseudocubic phase when x > 0.04. The coexistence of orthorhombic and pseudocubic (tetragonal) phases was observed near room temperature when 0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.04. The grains grew up obviously when 2 mol% BCTZ was added, but the grain size was found to reduce gradually with further increasing BCTZ content. The T _C and T _O-T decreased with the increasing BCTZ content. The ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties were abruptly degraded as x ≥ 0.05. Optimum properties (d ₃₃ = 136 pC/N, k _p = 27 %, k _t = 26.5 %, Q _m = 25, P _r = 14.67 μC/cm², E _c = 11.23 kV/cm, T _C = 347 °C, $\varepsilon_{33}^{\text{T}} /\varepsilon_{0} = 8 6 1. 5$ ε 33 T / ε 0 = 8 6 1.5 , tan δ = 0.04) were obtained for the ceramica with x = 0.03.     

Structure and properties of (1 − x)Pb(Mg1/2W1/2)O3 − xPb(Zr0.5Ti0.5)O3 solid solution ceramics

The widely used piezoelectric Pb(Zr_1−x Ti _x )O₃ ceramics have been known to have Zr⁴⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ randomly distributed on the B-site lattice in the ABO₃ perovskite structure. In this study, we attempted to develop long range 1:1 B-site cation order by forming the solid solution of (1 − x)Pb(Mg_1/2W_1/2)O₃ − xPb(Zr_0.5Ti_0.5)O₃ (x ≥ 0.60). High temperature X-ray diffraction tests indicate that the cation order is embedded in the structural order. The solid solution ceramics appear to have a non-cubic paraelectric phase above their Curie temperatures. The competition between the antiferroelectric order in Pb(Mg_1/2W_1/2)O₃ and the ferroelectric order in Pb(Zr_0.5Ti_0.5)O₃ leads to the relaxor ferroelectric behavior in the solid solution. Since the temperature at dielectric maximum, T _m, is significantly above room temperature, regular polarization versus electric field hysteresis loops are recorded in these compositions at room temperature. In addition, these ceramics show very good piezoelectric properties.     

Microstructure and piezoelectric properties of lead-free 0.95(Na0.5K0.5)NbO3–0.05(Bi0.5K0.5)Zr1−x Ti x O3 ceramics

0.95(Na_0.5K_0.5)NbO₃–0.05(Bi_0.5K_0.5)Zr_1?x Ti _x O₃ (abbreviated as KNN–BKZT _x ) ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid state method, and the effect of the Ti content on the surface morphology, crystalline structure, and electrical properties of KNN–BKZT _x ceramics were mainly investigated. With the increase of Ti content, the temperature of the orthorhombic–tetragonal (O–T) phases transitions shifted to lower temperatures, and the O–T phase boundary of KNN–BKZT _x ceramics was identified in the composition with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3 at room temperature. It was considered that the piezoelectric properties of the ceramics were enhanced significantly owing to the more possible polarization states resulting from the coexistence of two phases. The ceramic with x = 0.2 exhibited optimum properties: d ₃₃ = 260 pC/N, k _p = 0.38, and T _C = 323 °C.     

Compositional dependence of structural and electrical properties in (1 − x)[PMN–PT(65/35)]–xPZ solid solutions

Perovskite types (1 − x)[PMN–PT(65/35)]–xPZ (with x = 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9) piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by a modified columbite precursor method. The lattice parameters of the (1 − x)[PMN–PT(65/35)]–xPZ ceramics increase with the addition of larger Zr⁴⁺ ion compared to that of other B-site ions. The SEM photographs of all the samples with different PZ content exhibit homogeneous and dense microstructure. The P–E loops indicate the PMN–PT–PZ ternary system has excellent ferroelectric properties. Both d ₃₃ and k _p dependences in PZ content show similar variation. Introduction of a small amount of PZ content in the PMN–PT(65/35) ceramics enhanced the relaxor behavior, which was confirmed by studying frequency and temperature-dependent dielectric behavior. The increasing values of diffuseness parameter obtained from the fit of a modified Curie–Weiss law established the relaxor nature.     

Dielectric and impedance spectroscopic studies of (Sr1−x Pb x )TiO2 glass ceramics with addition of Nb2O5

Glasses were made by melt-quench method in the system [(Sr_1?x Pb _x )O·TiO₂]-[2SiO₂·B₂O₃]-5[K₂O-BaO] (0·0 ≤ x ≤ 0·4) with addition of 1 mol% Nb₂O₅. Perovskite strontium lead titanate in solid solution phase has been crystallized in borosilicate glassy matrix with suitable choice of composition and heat treatment schedule. Addition of 1 mol% of Nb₂O₅ enhances the crystallization of lead strontium titanate phase in the glassy matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is performed to study the surface morphology of the crystallites and crystalline interface to the glass. Dielectric properties of these glass ceramics were studied by measuring capacitance and dissipation factor as a function of temperature at a few selected frequencies. Nb₂O₅ doped strontium lead titanate glass ceramic shows a high value of dielectric constant. It is of the order of 10,000 while the dielectric constant of undoped glass ceramic sample is of the order of 500. Complex impedance and modulus spectroscopic techniques were used to find out the contributions of polarization of crystallites and glass crystal interfaces to the resulting dielectric behaviour.     

Microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of xSm(Mg0.5Ti0.5)O3–(1 − x)Ca0.8Sr0.2TiO3 ceramics

xSm(Mg_0.5Ti_0.5)O₃–(1 ? x)Ca_0.8Sr_0.2TiO₃ (x = 0.50–0.95) ceramics are prepared by a conventional solid-state ceramic route. The microstructure and microwave dielectric properties are investigated as a function of the x-value and sintering temperature. The single phase solid solutions were obtained throughout the studied compositional range. The variation of bulk density and dielectric properties are related with the x-value. Increasing sintering temperature can effectively promote the densification and dielectric properties of xSm(Mg_0.5Ti_0.5)O₃–(1 ? x)Ca_0.8Sr_0.2TiO₃ ceramic system. With the content of Sm(Mg_0.5Ti_0.5)O₃ increasing, the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency τ _f value decreased, and a near-zero τ _f could be obtained for the samples with x = 0.80. The optimal microwave dielectric properties with a dielectric constant ε _r of 30.1, Q × f of 115,000 GHz (at 8.0 GHz), and τ _f of 8.9 ppm/°C were obtained for 0.80Sm(Mg_0.5Ti_0.5)O₃–0.20Ca_0.8Sr_0.2TiO₃ sintered at 1,550 °C for 3 h, which showed high density and well-developed grain growth.     

Effects of Co doping on microstructure and properties of (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3–LiSbO3–BiFe(1−x)Co x O3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

0.998 [(0.95(K_0.5Na_0.5)NbO₃–0.05LiSbO₃]–0.002BiFe_(1?x)Co _x O₃ (KNN–LS–BF_(1?x)C _x ) lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method. The influences of Co content on the phase structure, microstructure, density and related electrical properties were investigated. The results reveal that the substitution of Co significantly improves the sinterability and the electrical properties of KNN–LS–BF_(1?x)C _x ceramics, sintered at a lower temperature of 1,030 °C, compared with that of KNN–LS–BF ceramics. With increasing x from 0 to 0.8, all samples show a pure perovskite structure, but the grain size increases continuously,and the porosity level reaches it’s lowest value at x = 0.2. The density ρ, piezoelectric constant d ₃₃, coupling factor k _p and dielectric constant ε _r increase with x up to 0.2, and then decrease with further increase in x value, but the variation of dielectric loss tan δ is opposite. The density and electrical properties achieve optimal value of ρ = 4.287 g/cm³, d ₃₃ = 276 pC/N, k _p  = 48 %, ε _r  = 1,284 and tan δ = 1.95 %, when x = 0.2. And Tc ≈ 340 °C at all the variation range of Co content.     

Dielectric and Piezoelectric Properties of (Na0.5Bi0.5)(Ti1–xMnx)O3 (x = 0–0.1) Modified Ceramics

Inorganic Materials - We have studied the crystal structure and dielectric and local piezoelectric properties of (Na0.5Bi0.5)(Ti1–xMnx)O3 (x = 0–0.1) modified sodium bismuth...     

Doping effects of Li–Sb content on the structure and electrical properties of [(Na0.5K0.5)1 − x(Li)x(Sb)x(Nb)1 − xO3] lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

Ceramic samples of [Na_0.5K_0.5]_1 ? x(Li)_x(Sb)_x(Nb)_1 ? xO₃ (NKNLS) (x = 0.04–0.06) were prepared by high temperature solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction analysis of the powder samples suggests the formation of a single-phase material with transformation from orthorhombic to tetragonal crystal structure with increase in Sb content. Dielectric studies show a diffuse phase transition about 100 °C and another phase ferroelectric–paraelectric transition at 330 °C. Polarization vs. electric field (P–E) hysteresis studies show maximum remanent polarization (Pr ～ 0.66 C m^?2) for composition x = 0.05. AC conductivity in the compound increases with increase in temperature which may be attributed due to oxygen vacancies and show negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) effect.     

The dielectric and thermal properties of Mn-doped (1 − x) ZrTi2O6–xZnNb2O6 filled PTFE composites

High dielectric constant and low loss (1 ? x) ZrTi₂O₆–xZnNb₂O₆ ceramic fillers have been prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction technique. Ceramic filled polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) microwave composite substrates were fabricated through the hot-pressing process. The microwave dielectric properties of (1 ? x) ZrTi₂O₆–xZnNb₂O₆/PTFE composites were measured using stripline resonator method. The relative dielectric constant (ε _r) and loss tangent (tan δ) of the composites increase with an increase of x in the (1 ? x) ZrTi₂O₆–xZnNb₂O₆ ceramic at an optimum filler loading of 46vol%. As the x in the (1 ? x) ZrTi₂O₆–xZnNb₂O₆ ceramic increase, the coefficient of thermal expansion and temperature coefficient of dielectric constant decrease. 0.55ZrTi₂O₆–0.45ZnNb₂O₆ filled PTFE composite exhibits a dielectric constant of 7.32 with a loss tangent of 0.0015 (10 GHz) and a temperature coefficient of dielectric constant of ?84 ppm/^oC at an optimum filler loading of 46 vol%.     

Synthesis and investigation of (1 − x)K0.5Na0.5NbO3–(x)CaSnO3 lead free perovskite ceramics of high dielectric and piezoelectric properties for transducer applications

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - The conventional solid state reaction technique was used to synthesize a piezoelectric material of (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (KNN) and CS doped KNN...     

Structural, thermal expansion and heat capacity study of lead-free [(1 − x)(Na0.5Bi0.5)–xBa]Zr1−y Ti y O3 ceramics

Lead-free ceramics of Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃–Ba(Ti,Zr)O₃ (NBT–BTZ) were prepared by solid phase hot pressing sintering process. The obtained samples show perovskite structure. Structural, the heat capacity, thermal expansion and pyroelectric measurements were made in wide temperature range. The broad anomalies of heat capacity and thermal expansion were observed, which approximately correspond to structural, pyroelectric and dielectric properties. It was concluded that these anomalies can be connected with temperature features of polar regions and with formation of long-range ferroelectric state. The obtained results are discussed in the framework of foreign ions/lattice imperfections, which create local electric and elastic fields. The NBT–BTZ system is expected to be a new promising candidate for lead-free electronic ceramics.