Low-Temperature Densification of Lead Zirconate-Titanate with Vanadium Pentoxide Additive

Additions of 0.1 to 6.0 wt% V₂O, to lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics promoted rapid densification below 975°C, thereby eliminating the need for PbO atmosphere control The base PZT, Pb(Zr_0.53Ti_0.47)O₃, was prepared by coprecipitation from mixed oxides and butoxides. The V₂O₅ was incorporated as a batch addition during the PZT coprecipitation process, as mill additions to the calcined precipitated powder, and to a commercial PZT powder. Densification rates were enhanced by the addition of V₂O₅ (>98% of theoretical density was obtained in ～15 min at 960°C by the addition of 0.1 to 1.0 wt% V₂O₅, compared to 4 h at 1280°C for the base PZT). Dielectric properties and piezoelectric coefficients varied slightly within the optimum range of 0.25 to 1.0 wt% V₂O₅ addition but were at least comparable to the base PZT. Indications are that V₂O₅ becomes incorporated into the surface layers of the oxide powders during mixing (or in the coprecipitation process) and that the accelerated densification is due to enhanced surface activation and liquid-phase sintering.