Study the Effect of Potassium Doping on Piezoelectric Properties of Lead Zirconate Titanate Nanostructures Using Michelson Interferometer

In this study, the effect of potassium atoms on the physical properties of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) nanoparticles in comparison with non-doped particles has been studied. At first, PZT and K-doped nanoparticles were synthesized in powder phase by well-known sol-gel method under reflux condition. Powders analyzed by X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), surface electronic microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and UV-visible spectrum. Analyses showed formations of PZT nanostructures and particles sizes were compared for two samples and showed it have been increased for potassium doped particles. Also, the indirect band gap was decreases by adding the potassium doping. Then, powders were turned into tablets under pressure and after ceramicizing them, both sides were coated by conductive layers in order to apply electric voltage. The Michelson interferometer was used to evaluate the piezoelectric properties of the tablets. Continue wave (CW) He-Ne laser beam was used as the source and the number of interference fringes was studied versus the applied voltage to the tables. By increasing the thickness of tables and change the optical path difference, fringes number was changed and obtained curves were studied which showed meaningful increment in piezoelectric properties of potassium doped PZT structures. This modification method can be recommended for enhancing piezoelectricity of PZT based devices.