Effects of addition of Pb(Y1/2Nb1/2)O3 (PYN) on microstructure and piezoelectric properties of Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3

Pure and Pb(Y1/2Nb1/2)O3 (PYN)-doped Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 have been characterized. The samples were prepared by conventional mixed-oxide ceramic technology. PYN dopant was added to PZT at content levels ranging from 1 to 2.5 mol%. The microstructures of the samples were examined using SEM and TEM. The average grain size was observed to decrease as the dopant content increased. Herringbone-like and wedge-shaped domain patterns were observed in all the samples. The piezoelectric properties of PZT were greatly improved by the addition of PYN. The highest piezoelectric constant d31 was nearly twice that of pure PZT.