High-performance Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbZrO3-PbTiO3 ceramics with the triple point composition

Ternary 0.552Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbZrO3-(0.448-x)PbTiO3 (PNN-PZ-PT) ceramics near the triple point compositions were fabricated by an improved two-step sintering method. The triple point composition 0.552PNN-0.135PZ-0.313PT ceramic has outstanding piezoelectric performance with piezoelectric coefficient d33 = 1200 pC/N. Its easy fabrication and low cost make this piezoelectric material an excellent candidate for high sensitivity sensors and ultrasonic transducers. The evolution of domain structures for ceramics with composition near the triple point provides deeper insight into the mechanism of ultrahigh piezoelectric properties of PNN-PZ-PT ceramics.