Morphotropic phase boundary and microstructure of low-temperature sintered PZT ceramics with BiFeO3 and Ba(Cu0.5W 0.5)O3

The sintering temperature of the 0.5 wt% MnO₂-added Pb(Zr_0.53Ti_0.47)O₃ ceramics was successfully lowered down to 935°C by the addition of the complex oxides, BiFeO₃ and Ba(Cu_0.5W_0.5)O₃ . This addition may cause a shift of the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) at which the Pb(Zr,Ti)O₃ ceramics shows excellent piezoelectric and dielectric properties. Indeed, the XRD studies reveal that the MPB of the ceramics with additives shifts toward the Ti-rich composition. Thus, the electrical properties are affected by this shift of the MPB and the optimum Zr/Ti ratio of 52/48 is determined. Furthermore, the microstructural analyses by using SEM indicate that the additives seem to form stable grain boundaries and the most stable boundaries are obtained with the corresponding composition