Large-strain 0.7Pb(ZrxTi1−x)O3–0.1Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3–0.2Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3 piezoelectric ceramics for high-temperature application

Abstract 0.7Pb(Zr x Ti 1− x )O 3 –0.1Pb(Zn 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 –0.2Pb(Ni 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 (0.7PZT–0.1PZN–0.2PNN, x  = 0.44–0.47) piezoelectric powders and ceramics have been prepared through conventional solid-state reaction method. Outstanding piezoelectric and dielectric properties occurred at the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), which was characterized by the X-ray diffraction spectrum. The MPB composition ( x  = 0.46) performed high d 33 value (641 pC/N), indicating that the system suited large-strain application. The field-induced strain reached 0.25% under a considerably low electric field (0.8 kV/mm) according to the bipolar strain * S – E loops. The effect of the grain size on the aging phenomenon and temperature stability has also been investigated. Due to higher Curie temperature and smaller grain size, the 0.7PZT–0.1PZN–0.2PNN ceramics maintained a high d 33 level after depoling treatment, revealing a superior strain capacity for high-temperature application.