Effect of PMN content on the phase structure and electrical properties of PMN–PZT ceramics

xPb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–(1−x)Pb(Zr0.47Ti0.53)O3(xPMN–(1−x)PZT) (0.15≤x≤0.30) ceramics were prepared by the conventional oxide-mixed method. The phase structure, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties and field-induced strain behavior were systematically investigated. It was found that 0.25PMN−0.75PZT possessed superior electrical properties due to its composition close to the MPB (Morphotropic Phase Boundary). The composition near the MPB enables the existence of multiple polarization directions and consequently facilitates the domain reorientation, which should be responsible for the superior electrical properties. A large remnant polarization (Pr) of 34.2 µC/cm2 and a high piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of 698 pC/N were obtained. Especially, a large field-induced strain of 2.2‰ (at 40 kV/cm) was attained, which shows a great promise for actuator applications.