Preparation of Pb(Zr,Ti)O3–Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 piezoelectric ceramics by dry–dry method

Ternary perovskite ceramics of Pb[(Zr0.5 Ti0.5)0.8–x(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.2+x]0.98Nb0.02O3.01 (PZTMN, x = –0.075, –0.05, –0.025, 0, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.075 ), are synthesized via dry–dry method. B-site precursors of PZTMN ([(Zr0.5Ti0.5)0.8–x(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.2+x]0.98Nb0.02 O2.01, ZTMN) can be synthesized via a two-step solid state reaction method. The first calcination temperature is 1,300 C, and the second is not higher than 1,360 C. Incorporation of magnesium and niobium ions promotes the formation of the single phase solid solution with ZrTiO4 structure. Single phase perovskite PZTMN is formed at 780 C, much lower than that in conventional process. Dense ceramics can be sintered at about 1,260 C with dielectric and piezoelectric properties comparable to that of wet–dry method and higher than that of conventional method. It seems that B-site precursor method is cost effective in preparation of ternary piezoelectric ceramics.