Investigations on the Doping Effects on the Properties of Piezoelectric Ceramics

In the present paper (1-x)Pb (Zr1-yTiy)O3 – xPb (Mn1/3Sb2/3)O3 – z at%E system, with E = Pr3+, Nd5+ and Gd3+ where x = 0.12; y = 0.48; z = 0 and 0.02 ceramic synthesized by solid state reaction technique is analysed. The investigation aims studying of the effect of dopants on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of such piezoelectric ceramic. The prepared powders have been uniaxially pressed into discs with diameter of 10 – 12 mm and thickness of 1.2 mm. Sintering has been carried out in air atmosphere at temperatures of 1150°C and 1200°C, respectively, for 2 hours each, followed by a controlled cooling at a rate of 200°C /h. The piezoelectric properties have been investigated after a suitable preparation, including polishing, metallization. The structure of the samples has been determined by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), while the morphology and grains size have been investigated by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The piezoelectric properties have been studied by the resonance - antiresonance method. XRD analysis reveals a perovskite tetragonal structure and, as expected for ceramic materials, SEM analysis indicates that the average grain size increases as sintering temperature increases. The dielectric and piezoelectric properties have been determined measuring the ceramic discs, and properties, as dielectric permittivity (εr), dielectric loss (tg δ), and the electromechanical coupling factor (kp) have been obtained. The acquired results indicate a significant effect of the dopants on the dielectric and piezoelectric properties of such materials.