Impedance and piezoelectric constants of phosphorous-incorporated Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 ceramics

It has been observed that phosphorous incorporation (1 wt.% as P2O5) in Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O-3 [PZT] ceramics can lead to an appreciable densification (98%) at a temperature as low as 1050 degreesC. The impedance of the samples initially increases with the increase in phosphorous addition (up to 2 wt.% P2O5) followed by a decrease after further addition. The enhancement of dielectric constant and dielectric loss at low frequencies, especially for the sample containing 4 wt.% P2O5, suggests Maxwell-Wagner relaxation. Although the d(33) and g(33) values decrease with the phosphorous addition, PZT containing 1 wt.% P2O5 can be used as a cost-effective substitute of pure PZT for low-end applications. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.