Microstructure and piezoelectric properties of PMS–PZT ceramics

Effects of sintering temperature on the microstructure and piezoelectric properties of Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)O3–PbZrO3–PbTiO3 (PMS–PZT) specimens were investigated. The samples were sintered at temperature between 1100 and 1300 °C for 2 h. The specimens display not only outstanding properties for high-power applications, but also superior characteristics for multilayer components and thick-film devices. The dielectric and piezoelectric properties optimized for high-power applications were obtained at 1240 °C (permittivity = 1530, d33 = 374 pC/N, Kp = 0.6, tan δ = 0.41%, Qm = 1250), whereas dielectric and piezoelectric properties suitable for multilayer components and thick-film devices were obtained at 1150 °C. Its value were 1370, 348 pC/N, 0.57, 0.62% and 1620, respectively, which has a higher Qm than that sintered at 1240 °C. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and EDS were used to confirm the hypothesis that PbO and Sb2O5 form a liquid phase that act as a secondary phase on grain boundaries at lower sintering temperature (1100 °C), and then it would enter the crystal lattice to form a single phase as sintering temperature increased.