Enhanced high‐power performances of quaternary PZT-based piezoelectric ceramics by Mn ions doping

High-power PZT-based piezoelectric ceramics with high electromechanical properties are in urgent demand in the market. In this study, Mn ions were introduced into 0.36 Pb(Ni 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 –0.28PbZrO 3 –0.36PbTiO 3 (PNN–PZT) ceramics in the form of Pb(Mn 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 (PMnN) to synthesize a quaternary piezoelectric ceramic ( x PMnN–PNN–PZT) with coexistence of rhombohedral and tetragonal phases. The addition of PMnN caused the grain sizes to continuously decrease from 3.29 μm to 1.58 μm. However, the density first increased and then decreased, reaching a maximum value of 8.02 g/cm 3 at x  = 0.07. The increased internal bias field ( E i ) and domain size suppressed the domain wall motion and domain switching, reducing internal friction and improving the mechanical quality factor ( Q m ). Compared with Q m ∼146 of undoped PNN–PZT ceramics, the maximum Q m of 0.07PMnN-PNN-PZT reached approximately 2244. And the Vickers hardness of x PMnN–PNN–PZT ceramics was promoted from ∼356 HV ( x  = 0) to ∼480 HV ( x  = 0.07). In addition, the other optimal electromechanical performances: piezoelectric coefficient d 33  = 202 pC/N, planar electromechanical coupling coefficient k p  = 0.45, Curie temperature T c  = 198 and dielectric loss tan δ  = 0.0059 were also achieved at x  = 0.07. This work provides a feasible way for the development and application of high-power piezoelectric ceramics.