The piezoelectric properties and the stability of the resonant frequency in Mn-CrCo-doped PSZT ceramics

Changes of microstructure and piezoelectric properties by Mn-doping, Cr-dop ing, and Mn-Cr co-doping were investigated in (Pb0.9Sr1.0) (Zr0.5Ti0.5)O-3 (PSZT) ceramics. Temperature stability and ageing characteristics of a reso nant frequency were also studied in Mn-doped, Cr-doped, and Mn-Cr co-doped PSZT ceramics. Both Mn-doping and Mn-Cr co-doping decreased average grain s ize and both Cr-doping and Mn-Cr co-doping made the piezoelectric propertie s hard. Mn-Cr co-doped PSZT ceramics had a similar microstructure and tempe rature dependence of the resonant frequency to Mn-doped ones, but similar p iezoelectric properties and ageing characteristics of the resonant frequenc y to Cr-doped ones. The changes of the resonant frequency with temperature and with ageing time in PSZT ceramics resulted from different origins. The ageing characteristic of the resonant frequency is closely related to an ac ceptor doping effect.