The effects of Cd-substitution site on sintering behavior and electrical properties in Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O-3-PbZrO3-PbTiO3 ceramics

The effects of Cd2+ substitution site on sintering behavior and electrical properties were investigated in Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O-3-PbZrO3-PbTiO3 (PNN-PZ-PT) ceramics. Substituting Cd2+ into both A-site and B-site in PNN-PZ-PT made it possible to determine these effects. Sintering was performed at 1100 degrees C and 1200 degrees C. The substitution site of Cd2+ was identified from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra. Although Cd2+ was substituted into both A-site and B-site in PNN-PZ-PT, the Cd2+ preferred the A-site over the B-site. The densification mechanism were influenced by substitution site of Cd2+, and A-Specimen and B-Specimen was sintered by liquid phase sintering and solid state sintering, respectively. Whereas Cd2+ thus promoted the densification and grain growth in A-Specimen, it retarded densification and grain growth in B-Specimen. When Cd2+ replaces Pb2+, weight gain is observed during sintering. On the other hand, replacing Cd2+ with Ni2+ caused weight loss. The substitution site of the Cd2+ also influenced the electrical properties significantly. Whereas both of a grain and grain boundary influenced the resistivities in A-Specimen, Only a grain effect on the resistivities was shown in B-Specimen.