Structural and electrical properties of double doped (Fe3+ and Ba2+) PZT electroceramics

Fe and Fe–Ba doped lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics near the morphotrophic phase boundary (MPB) were prepared by the solid-state oxide route. X-ray diffraction studies were carried out for PZT samples to confirm the phase formation. Dielectric and piezoelectric measurements were carried out by varying frequency and sintering temperature. The electromechanical coupling factor (Kp) for Fe and Fe–Ba doped PZT ceramics was found to be 0.49 and 0.53. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies were carried out to measure the grain size and its effect on dielectric and piezoelectric properties. Hysteresis (P–E) loops were traced for both compositions by varying the electric field, to the polarization behavior and its effect on the properties. Both higher mechanical quality factor, Qm (880) and coupling factor, Kp (0.53) were obtained for Fe–Ba doped PZT ceramics.