Dielectric and piezoelectric behaviour of spray dried Pb1-3x/2Smx (Zr0.53Ti0.47) O3 ceramic system

Powders of polycrystalline sample of PZT modified by Sm with composition Pb1-3x/2Smx (Zr0.53Ti0.47) O3 (PSZT) with x = 0.0, 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5, ceramics were synthesized by spray drying technique. The DTA-TGA and XRD studies were used to characterize the compound synthesized. The powders were calcined at 800°C. The sample was crystallized into rhombohedral phase as revealed by XRD studies. The calcined samples were palletized and sintered at 900, 1000 and 1100°C. SEM was used for microstructure evaluation which showed the spherical and homogeneous grains. The grain size increases with increase in sintering temperatures. The sintered pellets were electroded and cooled slowly for all their electrical measurements. The dielectric constant (∈) and tangent loss (tanδ) of the compound were studied at different temperatures at 10 kHz frequency and at room temperature with different frequencies. The PZT sample modified with x = 1.5 shows maximum ∈-value. The electromechanical properties d33 and Kp were measured with these electroded samples after poling. The maximum values of d33 and Kp were found for the samples polled at 33 kV cm-1. © 2006 Asian Network for Scientific Information.