Microstructure, electrical and mechanical properties of MgO nanoparticles-reinforced porous PZT 95/5 ferroelectric ceramics

Abstract Porous Pb (Zr0.95Ti0.05) O3/xMgO (PZT/MgO, x=0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 wt%) ferroelectric ceramics were prepared with MgO nanoparticles as reinforcing phase. The effects of MgO nanoparticles on the phase, microstructure, electrical and mechanical properties of as-prepared ceramics were investigated. The results show that the grain size is reduced obviously when increasing the amount of MgO. Compared with pure porous PZT, TC of MgO-added PZT ceramics shifts to higher temperature. Moreover, dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties show no much degradation. Further, PZT/MgO ceramics possess enhanced mechanical properties compared to pure porous PZT ceramics, the largest increment of the fracture toughness and hardness being 31.3% and 19.8%, respectively. The optimal electrical and mechanical properties are obtained with the addition of less than 0.5 wt% MgO nanoparticles.