Effect of Synthesis Temperature on the Ferroelectric Properties of Ceramics Based on Lead Zirconate Titanate and Alkali Niobates

Ferroelectric piezoceramics based on lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and alkali niobates were prepared by solid-state reactions followed by hot pressing, and their properties were studied. The results demonstrate that the ceramics can be divided into two groups, according to the effect of synthesis temperature on their electrical properties. In one group (ceramics based on PZT and sodium potassium niobate), the range of optimal synthesis temperatures is as broad as ≃200°C, and the properties vary insignificantly across this range. In the other group (ceramics based on lithium niobate and sodium lithium niobate), the properties show sharp extrema within a narrow range of synthesis temperatures (≃20°C). These findings are interpreted in terms of the cation composition of the materials. The obtained data can be used to optimize conditions for the preparation of various ferroelectric piezoceramics.