The use of PbF2 for low temperature sintering of lead zirconate titanate ceramics

Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) ceramics with the formula of Pb(Zr 0.52Ti0.48)O3-xFx where x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.05 were produced by a conventional mixed oxides route. The phase structures of all calcined PZT powders investigated using XRD technique revealed that the addition of PbF2 could reduce the calcination temperature. The single phase PZT for the powders with more than 3 mol% of PbF2 could be obtained at the temperature as low as 600°C. PZT ceramics with PbF2 3 and 5 mol% gave the highest density at the sintering temperature of 1050°C without a second phase. These calcination and sintering temperatures are much lower than the temperature normally needed in the production of a pure PZT ceramic which the usual calcinations and sintering temperatures are about 800°C and 1200°C, respectively. The microstructures of PZT ceramics with various amounts of PbF2 were investigated using SEM technique. The dielectric and piezoelectric properties such as d33, εr and P-E loops were also investigated. The dielectric measurement of PZT ceramics with the addition of PbF2 indicated a softening effect since fluorine (F) could act as donor by increasing dielectric nonlinearity of permittivity and loss. Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.