Piezoelectric and mechanical properties of ceria-doped lead zirconate titanate ceramics

Abstract

Phases, microstructures and properties of lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) ceramics with the compositions Pb(Zr_0.535−δ Ce_δ Ti_0.465) O₃ where δ=0.0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.05 were studied. Rhombohedral and tetragonal phases were present at δ=0.0. The amount of the rhombohedral phase increased with increasing δ, and only the tetragonal phase was present for δ>0.001. Thec/a ratio of the tetragonal phase also increases with increasing δ. Particles of CeO₂ were found to be present in compositions with δ>0.01, indicating that the solubility of CeO₂ is less than 1a/o on the metals basis. The piezoelectric and electromechanical constants achieved maximum values for δ=0.001. The hardness increased monotonically with increasing δ. The modulus of rupture and the fracture toughness, however, went through a minimum and both stayed lower than their values for δ=0.