Study of the solid state reaction and the morphotropic phase boundary in Pb(Zr, Ti)O3–Pb(Fe1/5, Ni1/5, Sb3/5)O3 ceramics

The formation mechanisms of Pb(Zr0.46, TiO0.49)O3–0.05Pb(Fe1/5, Ni1/5, Sb3/5)O3 ternary solid solution prepared by the mixed oxides techniques has been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). In a previous investigation (part I), we have shown that the formation of PZT is accomplished through several steps: decomposition of Pb3O4 to PbO; formation of PbTiO3 above 350°C and of its solid solutions at 650°C. This second part of the work aims to study the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). Piezoelectric ceramics having a composition of x PbZrO3–(0.95-x)PbTiO3–0.05 Pb(Fe1/5, Ni1/5, Sb3/5)O3 and a Zr/Ti ratio between 44/51 and 52/43 were prepared in the 850–1200°C temperature range. The morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) of the solid solution is located at x=47–50.