Piezoelectric properties of Sn2P2S6 ceramics

Piezoelectric ceramics Sn2P2S6 was prepared and investigated as potential candidate for hydrophone applications. Their structural and morphological properties were checked by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The set of electromechanical properties was determined using resonance technique. The hydrostatic charge piezoelectric coefficient d(h) and hydrostatic voltage coefficient g(h) were measured at the frequency of 100 Hz in an acoustic coupler (pistonphone). It was found that g(h) and d(h)*g(h) coefficients, which are the most important figures of merit for piezoelectrics operating in the hydrostatic regime, in the ceramics studied take values comparable to that of the composites on the basis of Sn2P2S6 and the PZT piezoelectric ceramis. The disadvantage of Sn2P2S6 ceramics is rather high level of the low frequency dielectric losses caused by the hopping conductivity along the grain boundaries.