Abstract
The effects of MnO$_2$ and Fe$_2$O$_3$ on the piezoelectric properties of 0.05PMN-0.451PT-0.499PZ ceramics were investigated. The addition of MnO$_2$ increased mechanical quality factor (Q$_m$) but decreased the dielectric constant (K$^{T}_{33}$) and compliance (S$^{E}_{11}$) of the specimens. These results indicated that MnO$_2$ behaves as an acceptor in 0.05MN-0.451PT-0.499PZ ceramics. The electromecanical coupling coefficient (K$_P$) of 0.05PMN-0.451PT-0.499PZ ceramics slightly increased with the addition of MnO$_2$ however, the enhancement of $K_P$ was insignificant. A small amount of Fe$_2$O$_3$ was added to enhance the $K_P$ of the 0.05PMN-0.451PT-0.499PZ + 0.5 wt% MnO$_2$ ceramics. The addition of Fe$_2$O$_3$ largely increased $K_P$ through the increase of the K$^{T}_{33}$ and the polarization. The mechanical quality factor of the specimens decreased with the addition of Fe$_2$O$_3$however, the reduction was negligible.
