Influence of Al2O3 Nanoparticles’ Incorporation on the Structure and Electrical Properties of Pb0.88Sr0.12Zr0.54Ti0.44Sb0.02O3 Ceramics

In this research, the effects of an Al2O3 nanoparticle additive on the structure and electrical properties of Pb0.88Sr0.12Zr0.54Ti0.44Sb0.02O3 (PSZST) ceramics were investi‐ gated. The PSZST ceramics with the addition of 0 - 2.0 vol % Al2O3 were fabricated via a solid-state mixed oxide method and sintering at 1250°C for 2 h to obtain dense ceramics. X-ray diffraction indicated that all compositions exhibited a single perovskite structure. Phase identification showed coexisting mixed rhombohedral and tetragonal phases for the modified ceramics, while the unmodified ceramics showed a rhombohedral-rich phase. The addition of Al2O3 nanoparticles was also found to improve the densification and the electrical properties of the PSZST ceramics, such as dielectric constant and polarization. The 2.0 vol% sample showed the highest low-field piezoelectric coefficient (d33) value of 646 pC/N, which was 90% higher than that of the unmodified sample, suggesting that this composition had the potential to be one of the promising piezoelectric ceramic candidates for further use in actual applications.