Piezoelectric properties of PCW-PNN-PZT ceramics sintered at low temperature

In this study, in order to develop the composition ceramics for ultrasonic sensor application, Pb0.985Bi0.01(Co1/2W1/2)(0.03)(Ni1/3Nb2/3)(0.09)(ZrxTi1-x)(0.88)O-3+0.25wt% CuO (abbreviated as PCW-PNN-PZT) system ceramics were prepared with the variations of x and then their phase microstructure, piezoelectric and dielectric characteristics were investigated with the variations of x. The compositions near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) appeared when x = 0.495. Moreover, the PCW-PNN-PZT ceramics could be sintered at low temperature of 920 degrees C by adding sintering aids CuO. At sintering temperature of 920 degrees C and x = 0.495 specimen, the density (), electromechanical coupling factor(k(p)), dielectric constant (E-r), mechanical quality (Q(m)) and piezoelectric constant (d(33)) piezoelectric figure of merit (d(33)g(33)) indicated the optimal value of 7.94 g/cm(.)(3) 0.65, 1959, 356, 486 pC/N, and 15.56 [pm(2)/N], respectively, suitable for ultrasonic sensor application. The CuO was proved to lower the sintering temperature of piezoelectric ceramics due to the effects of PbO and CuO liquid phase.