Low-Temperature Sintering of Pb_(0.95)Ba_(0.05)(Mg_(1/3)Nb_(2/3))_(0.125)Zr_(0.445)Ti_(0.43)O_3 Powders coated with LiBiO_2 by Surface Chemical Modification Method

摘要

Low-temperature fabrication of Pb_(0.95)Ba_(0.05)[(Mg_(1/3)Nb_(2/3))_(0.125)Zr_(0.445)Ti_(0.43)]O_3 (PBMNZT) ceramics was investigated using a LiBiO_2 sintering aid, and their electrical properties were examined. In order to improve the piezoelectric properties and reliability, surface modification method using alkoxide hydrolysis was utilized as addition process of LiBiO_2. An addition of LiBiO_2 markedly improved the sinterability of PBMNZT powders, and the sintering temperature was consequently decreased from 1100 to 850 deg C. The LiBiO_2-added PBMNZT ceramics could be fabricated at sintering temperatures below 1000 deg C without deteriorating piezoelectric properties. A high electromechanical coupling factor (k_p) of 61.7 percent was obtained for 950 deg C-sintered specimens with LiBiO_2 additive, and was almost constant in the temperature range up to 175 deg C.