Abstract
To fabricate a multi-layered piezoelectrics/electrodes structure, the piezoelectrics should be sintered at the temperature lower than $950^{\circ}C$ to use the silver electrode, which is cheaper than the electrodes containing noble metals such as Pd and Pt. Therefore, in this study, we modified the composition of $Pb(Zr,Ti)O_3$-based material as $(Pb_{0.98}Cd_{0.02})(Ni_{1/3}Nb_{2/3})_{0.25}Zr_{0.35}Ti_{0.4}O_3$ to lower the sintering temperature and to improve the piezoelectric properties. Small amount of $MnCO_3$, $SiO_2$, and $Pb_3O_4$ were also added to lower the sintering temperature of the ceramic. The prepared raw powders were mixed by using a ball mill for 24 hours. And then the mixed powders were calcinated for 2 hours at $800^{\circ}C$. The calcinated powders were again crushed with the ball mill for 72 hours. The final powders were pressed for making the shape of ${\emptyset}15\;mm$ disk. The disk-type samples were sintered at temperature range of $850{\sim}950^{\circ}C$. The crystal phases of the sintered specimens were perovskite structure without secondary phases. All of the measured electrical properties such as electromechanical coupling coefficients ($k_p$), mechanical quality factors ($Q_m$), and piezoelectric charge constants ($d_{33}$) were decreased with decreasing the sintering temperatures. The electrical properties measured at the sample sintered at $950^{\circ}C$ were 54% of $k_p$, 503 of $Q_m$, and 390 pC/N of $d_{33}$, respectively. These properties were considered to be fairly good for the application of multi-layered piezoelectric generators or actuators.
