Effect of Zr/Ti ratio on piezoelectric properties of Pb(Ni1/3Sb2/3)O3–Pb(ZrTi)O3 ceramics

Abstract Piezoceramic compositions [Pb(Ni 1/3 Sb 2/3 )] 0.02 –[Pb(Zr 1− y Ti y )] 0.98 O 3 with y = 0.46–0.50 were synthesized by solid state route to study the effect of Zr/Ti ratio on crystal structure, microstructure, piezoelectric and dielectric properties. Calcination was performed at 1060 °C. The specimens were sintered at 1280 °C for 1 h. X-ray diffraction studies indicate the co-existence of tetragonal and rhombohedral perovskite phases in these compositions. Microstructural analysis showed the dense and uniform microstructure for [Pb(Ni 1/3 Sb 2/3 )] 0.02 –[Pb(Zr 0.52 Ti 0.48 )] 0.98 O 3 . This composition was resulted in optimum values of properties viz. charge constant ( d 33 = 301 × 10 −12 C/N), voltage constant ( g 33 = 33.7 × 10 −3 V m/N), product of piezoelectric charge constant and voltage constant ( d 33 × g 33 = 10.12 × 10 −12 C V m/N 2 ) and coupling factor ( k p = 0.63). Results indicated that this material composition could be suitable for power harvesting and sensor applications.