The effect of composition on microstructure and properties of PNW–PMS–PZT ceramics for high-power piezoelectric transformer

(Pb 0.95Sr 0.05)[(Mn 1/3Sb 2/3) x (Ni 1/2W 1/2) y (Zr 1/2Ti 1/2) z ]O 3 piezoelectric ceramics (abbreviated as PNW–PMS–PZT) with 1 mol% excess PbO, 0.25 wt% CeO 2 and 0.2 wt% MnO 2were synthesized by traditional ceramics process. The effect of Pb(Mn 1/3Sb 2/3)O 3 (abbreviated as PMS) and Pb(Ni 1/2W 1/2)O 3 (abbreviated as PNW) on phase structure, dielectric and piezoelectric properties was investigated in detail. The content of perovskite phase of all ceramics specimens is 100%, the phase structure of PNW–PMS–PZT ceramics changed from tetragonal phase to single rhombohedral phase with the amount of PMS and PNW increased. Take into consideration dielectric constant, ɛ r, dielectric loss tan δ, electromechanical coupling factor k p, mechanical quality factor Q m, Curie temperature T c and sintering temperature, it was concluded that the ceramics with composition of x = 0.06, y = 0.02, z = 0.92 can be used for high-power piezoelectric transformer. These properties include ɛ r = 2138, tan δ = 0.0058, k p = 0.613, Q m = 1275, d 33 = 380 pC/N, T c = 205 °C.