Effect of tungsten on the structure and piezoelectric properties of PZN–PZT ceramics

Abstract 0.2PZN–0.8PZT ceramics with pure perovskite structure were prepared by the two-step method with the addition of 0–1.5 wt.% WO 3 and their piezoelectric properties were investigated. The WO 3 addition influences the lattice structure and W 6+ will replace B-site ions of perovskite, which will lead to the decrease of the lattice constant. Compared to the increase of the dielectric constant ( ɛ ) and mechanical quality factor ( Q m ), the values of coercive electric field ( E c ), remnant polarization ( P r ), electromechanical coupling factor ( K p ), and piezoelectric constant ( d 33 ) decrease with increasing WO 3 addition. The composition with 1.0 wt.% of WO 3 addition on 0.2PZN–0.8PZT ceramics exhibits excellent piezoelectric properties, showing great promise as practical materials for high power piezoelectric devices.