Synthesis and characterisation of cesium doped PLZT(8/60/40) ceramics

Polycrystalline complex compounds of [Pb-0.92(La1-zCsz)(0.08) (Zr0.60Ti0.40 )(0.98 +) O-0.04z(3) (z = 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7)] (PLCZT) have been synth esised from acetate metal-alkoxide solutions. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD ) study of these compounds suggests the formation of single-phase perovskit e structure by one-step process at relatively low temperature. The grains o f PLCZT samples have been found nearly spherical and distributed uniformly on the sintered surfaces (sintered at 1200 degrees C for 60 h). Dielectric studies as a function of temperature (30-350 degrees C) show the broadening of the permittivity peak, and rise in transition temperature (T-c) with th e increase in Cs+ ion concentration. Analysis of diffusivity (gamma) of the broadened peaks in these compounds provides the value between 1 and 2 for all the compounds, indicating that disorder exists in the system. Phase tra nsition in PLCZT was found to be of second order, which has been confirmed from polarisation study. The values of transition temperature have also bee n verified by pyroelectric studies. From piezoelectric study some interesti ng device parameters have been obtained. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.