Simultaneously achieving high piezoelectric properties and excellent temperature stability in Mn added lead-based piezoelectric ceramics

The Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 ) y (Zr x Ti 1- x )O 3 ternary piezoelectric ceramics have a high Curie temperature ( T c  > 300 °C). However, their piezoelectric properties are low, which limits their sensitivity in practical applications. In this work, MnCO 3 is added to the Pb 0.94 Sr 0.06 (Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 ) 0.2 (Zr 0.388 Ti 0.412 )O 3 piezoelectric matrix to enhance the piezoelectric response. Through the synergistic effect of optimizing morphotropic phase boundary, facilitating grain growth, reducing oxygen vacancy concentration, impressively excellent piezoelectric properties with piezoelectric coefficient d 33  = 708 pC/N, electromechanical coupling factor k p  = 74 % and dielectric constant ε r  = 3558 are obtained when MnCO 3 is added at 0.4 wt percent relative to the matrix. In the meantime, the composition possesses a high T c  = 292 °C, and an exceptional temperature insensitivity ( d 33 with variations less than 10 % during the measurement temperature from 25 °C to 250 °C). Finally, when fabricated into piezoelectric transducers, the optimized component produces a significant voltage output, this indicates its outstanding application potential. This work demonstrates that Mn additives can significantly enhance the overall electrical properties of lead-based piezoelectric ceramics and accelerate their practical application.