Abstract

The isovalent Ba2+ modified lead lanthanum strontium zirconium niobium titanate (PLSZNT) solid solutions were prepared by solid-state reaction method with the compositional formula [Pb1-x-w-yLaxSrwBay][(ZrzTi1-z)(1-(x/4)-(5/4)k)Nbk]O3 where Ba content, y, was varied from 0, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 mol%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies revealed that all the samples have ferroelectric tetragonal structure (FETET). The presence of multiple ions at Pb-site enhanced grain growth and further addition of Ba concentration resulted in restrained grain growth. Dielectric studies suggested that the εRT increased up to 1 mol% Ba while Tc has shown a continuous decreasing trend throughout the series. The piezoelectric parameters as a function of grain growth were characterized. The optimum piezoelectric charge coefficient (d33 = 538 pC/N) and piezoelectric planar coupling coefficient (kp = 0.521) was found to be in 1 mol% Ba modified PLSZNT ceramic, respectively, and this composition may be suitable for possible sensor and actuator applications. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.