Microstructure and dielectric properties of Pb0.94La0.06Nb2O6 ceramics

Abstract: Pb0.94La0.06Nb2O6 ceramics were prepared by solid state reaction of high energy ball milled precursor powders. Calcination temperature of the milled precursor was lowered to 850°C. Single orthorhombic phase was obtained after the ceramics were sintered at 1205°C and 1230°C. Lattice parameters, porosity and grain size were all affected by sintering temperature. A normal ferroelectric–paraelectric phase transition was observed at Curie temperature. The ceramic sintered at 1230°C showed Curie temperature of 525°C, piezoelectric constant of 62.3pC/N, electromechanical coupling factor of 0.3342 and mechanical quality factor of 11.64, making it a potential candidate as high-temperature piezoelectric transducers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]