The effects of sintering behavior on piezoelectric properties of porous PZT ceramics for hydrophone application

Porous lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics were fabricated by adding polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and the effects of sintering behavior on their microstructure and piezoelectric properties were investigated. The porosity of PZT ceramics decreased with an increase in the sintering temperature at a fixed PMMA addition. The dielectric constant (ɛ), longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient (d33) and hydrostatic figures of merit (dhgh) of 34% porous PZT ceramics increased with an increase in sintering temperature from 1050 to 1300 °C. When sintered at 1300 °C, longitudinal piezoelectric coefficient of 34% porous PZT ceramic was very close to that of 95% dense PZT ceramics, while the hydrostatic figures of merit of 34% porous PZT ceramics is about fifteen times more than that of 95% dense PZT ceramics. Compared with PZT–polymer composites, the dielectric constant of 34% porous PZT sintered at 1300 °C is much higher, which can be more efficient to resist the interference in receiving sensitivities caused by loading effect of the cable.