Structural and Piezoelectric Properties of (1−x)Pb(Zr1−yTiy)O3-xPb(Zn0.4Ni0.6)1/3Nb2/3O3 Ceramics Near Triple Point

The crystal structure and piezoelectric properties of (1−x)Pb(Zr1−yTiy)O3‐xPb(Zn0.4Ni0.6)1/3Nb2/3O3 [(1−x)PZ1−yTy‐xPZNN] ceramics were investigated. The 0.665PZ0.45T0.55‐0.335PZNN ceramic has the triple point composition, where the rhombohedral, pseudocubic, and tetragonal structures coexist. Maximum d33 and kp values of 770 pC/N and 0.69, respectively, were observed from this specimen; it also exhibited a large εT33/εo value of 3250. Although the maximum d33 value was obtained from the triple point composition specimen, its g33 and d33 × g33 values were relatively small because of its large εT33/εo value. However, the 0.665PZ0.46T0.54‐0.335PZNN ceramic, which has a rhombohedral structure, exhibited a large g33 value of 43 × 10−3 Vm/N and a d33 × g33 value of 27 000 × 10−15 m2/N. Therefore, this ceramic is a good candidate for multilayer actuators and piezoelectric energy harvesters.