Tuning the dielectric and piezoelectric response of PNN–PZT through Fe doping and Nb2O5 phase selection: an experimental study
摘要
In this study, the effects of Nb2O5 precursor crystallinity (monoclinic vs. orthorhombic) and Fe doping (0–1.5 mol%) on the structural, dielectric, and piezoelectric properties of 0.50PNN–0.50PZT and 0.55PNN–0.45PZT ceramics were systematically investigated. XRD analysis confirmed a pure perovskite structure in the 0.50PNN–0.50PZT composition regardless of Fe content and Nb2O5 polymorph. In contrast, the 0.55PNN–0.45PZT composition prepared with monoclinic Nb2O5 exhibited minor secondary phases, whereas the orthorhombic Nb2O5 precursor resulted in a phase-pure perovskite structure. Dielectric measurements showed that both the Nb2O5 source and Fe doping strongly influenced the dielectric permittivity. Fe doping significantly increased the dielectric constant and induced relaxor-like behavior, particularly in samples derived from monoclinic Nb2O5. The highest piezoelectric performance (d33 and kₚ) was achieved in the orthorhombic Nb2O5-derived 0.55PNN–0.45PZT composition as ~ 1010 pC/N. Using the optimized ceramic, 1-3-2 piezocomposites were fabricated via the dice-and-fill method, and their underwater acoustic performance was evaluated. This study presents the first comparative study on the impact of Nb2O5 precursor crystallography (orthorhombic vs. monoclinic) in the PNN–PZT system and demonstrates that tailored compositional design combined with controlled defect engineering through Fe doping and precursor selection can effectively optimize functional properties for advanced piezoelectric applications.