The Study of a New Ceramic PZT Material Pb_1-0.04Sm_0.02Nd_0.02[(Zr_0.55,Ti_0.45)_1-2x,x(Y_2/3,Mo1/3), x(Y_2/3,Ni_1/3)]O₃ with SEM and X-Ray Diffraction

Oum Keltoum Kribaa, Ahmed Boutarfaia

University of Biskra, Biskra, Algeria; 2University of Ouargla, Ouargla, Algeria.
University of Ouargla, Ouargla, Algeria.

DOI: 10.4236/msa.2013.410073                

Abstract

The PZT is modified by the introduction of doping agents in A-sites and/or B-sites of perovskite structure [1]. The principal role of dopants is generally improving the properties of these materials for their adaptation to specific applications, which is the purpose of this study. Our choice fell on the mixed oxide: acceptor and donor. Five compositions with varying dopants percentage were prepared by the conventional method of thermal synthesis of mixed-oxides. Pb_1-0.04Sm_0.02Nd_0.02[(Zr_0.55,Ti_0.45)_1-2x,x(Y_2/3,Mo_1/3),x(Y_2/3,Ni_1/3)]O₃ such that (x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07 and 0.1), are studied. All the samples were being sintered at a temperature ranging from 1100°C to 1180°C after being compacted in circular discs. The detailed structure was carried out for sintered specimens. The results of X-ray diffraction showed that all the ceramics specimens have a perovskite phase. The phase structure of Pb_1-0.04Sm_0.02Nd_0.02[(Zr_0.55,Ti_0.45)_1-2x, x(Y_2/3,Mo_1/3),x(Y_2/3,Ni_1/3)]O₃ ceramics was transformed from the tetragonal to the rhombohedral, with an increase in the ratio of Zr/Ti in system. The scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) showed an increase of the mean grain size when the sintering temperature was increased. The lattice parameter measurements showed that tetragonal and rhombohedral unit cells of the phases depend on the sintering temperature.

Keywords

Sintering; X-Ray Diffraction; Tetragonal; Rhombohedral; PZT Ceramic

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	W. Qui and H. H. Hng, “Effect of Dopants on the Microstructure and Properties of PZT Ceramics,” Materials Chemistry and Physics, Vol. 75, No. 1-3, 2002, pp. 151-156.
[2]	B. Jaffe, R. Cookjr and H. Jaffe, “Piezoelectric Ceramics,” Academic Press, London and New York, 1971.
[3]	A. Ballato, “Piezoelectricity: Old Effect, New Thrusts,” IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control, 1995, Vol. 42, No. 5, pp. 916-925. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/58.464826
[4]	G. H. Haertling, “Ferroelectric Ceramics: History and Technology,” Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Vol. 82, No. 4, 1999, pp. 797-818. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.1999.tb01840.x
[5]	Z. Q. Zhuang, M. P. Harmer, et al., “The Effect of Octahedrally-Coordinated Calcium on the Ferroelectric Transition of BaTiO3,” Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 22, No. 10, 1987, pp. 1329-1335.
[6]	K. Karl and K. H. Hardtl, “On the Origin of the Maximum in the Electromechanical Activity in Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3 Ceramies near the Morphotropic Phase Boundary Ceramics near the Morphotropic Phase Boundary,” Physica Status Solidi, Vol. 8, No. 1, 1971, pp. 87-98.
[7]	P. Ari-Gur and L. Benguigui, “X-Ray Study of the PZT Solid Solutions near the Morphotropic Phase Transition, ” Solid State Communication, Vol. 15, No. 6, 1974, pp. 1077-1079. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0038-1098(74)90535-3
[8]	P. Boche, “Ceramic Materials and Processes,” Hermes Science Europe LTD., France, 2001, p. 55.
[9]	J. M. Dorlot, J. P. Bailon and J. Masounave, “Materials,” Edition of the Ecole Polytechnique of Montreal, Montreal, 1992.
[10]	A. Boutarfaia, “Investigation of Co-Existence Region in Lead Zirconate-Titanate Solid Solutions: X-Ray Diffraction Studies,” Ceramic International, Vol. 26, No. 6, 2000, pp. 583-587. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0272-8842(99)00099-1
[11]	R. B. Atkin and R. M. Fulrath, “Point Defects and Sintering of Lead Zirconate-Titanate,” Journal of American Ceram Society, Vol. 54, No. 5, 1971, pp. 265-270. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.1971.tb12286.x
[12]	A. Boutarfaia, C. Boudaren, A. Mousser and S. E. Bouaoud, “Study of Phase Transition Line of PZT Ceramics by X-Ray Diffraction,” Ceramics International, Vol. 21, No. 6, 1995, pp. 391-394.