Piezoelectric properties of 〈001〉 textured Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 ceramics

The piezoelectric properties of $\text{(1−x)}$ ${\mathrm{Pb(Mg}}_{\mathrm{1/3}}{\mathrm{Nb}}_{\mathrm{2/3}}{\mathrm{)O}}_3\mathrm{–x}{\mathrm{PbTiO}}_3$ $\text{(x=0.3–0.35),}$ ceramics with a high degree of 〈001〉 fiber texture were investigated for possible actuator applications. Piezoelectric coefficients ${\mathrm{(d}}_{33})$ in excess of 1200 pC/N associated with strain levels up to >0.3% were observed in samples prepared by a reactive templated grain growth process. No excess PbO was used in the starting composition. A high degree of fiber texture was achieved using 〈001〉 oriented ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_3$ template particles in a fine-grained precursor for the PMN–32PT matrix. High densities together with texture resulted in a significant increase in strain levels and $d_{33}$ values compared to their polycrystalline counterparts. Peak dielectric constants on the order of 22 000 with losses of ∼2% and well-saturated hysteresis loops with a $P_r\text{∼27\hspace{0.5em}μ}{\mathrm{C/cm}}^2$ were recorded on the textured samples. These domain engineered, textured ceramics have tremendous potential for high-performance actuators.