PbTiO sub(3)/Pb(Zr,Ti)O sub(3) sol-gel composite for ultrasonic transducer applications

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Applied Physics Vol. 53; no. 7S; pp. 07KC11 - 1-07KC11-4
• Main Authors: Inoue, Takuo, Kobayashi, Makiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.01.2014
• Subjects: Assurance; Constants; Curie temperature; Dielectric constant; Lead zirconate titanates; Monitoring; Piezoelectricity; Sol gel process; Transducers
• ISSN: 0021-4922; 1347-4065
• DOI: 10.7567/JJAP.53.07KC11

A new sol-gel composite material, PbTiO sub(3) (PT)/Pb(Zr,Ti)O sub(3) (PZT) was developed for ultrasonic transducer applications, especially for high temperature applications, since long-term monitoring is desired for safety assurance. PT was considered as a good piezoelectric powder candidate because of its reasonable piezoelectric constant, high Curie temperature of approximately 760 K, and low dielectric constant. Approximately 50- mu m-thick PT/PZT, PZT/PZT, Bi sub(4)Ti sub(3)O sub(12) (BiT)/PZT, and CaBi sub(4)Ti sub(4)O sub(1 5) (CBT)/PZT films were fabricated on 3-mm-thick titanium substrates and their ultrasonic performances were compared at various temperatures. As a result, PT/PZT poled at 470 and 670 K showed higher sensitivity than PZT/PZT, BiT/PZT and CBT/PZT from room temperature to 630 K. Since PT/PZT showed stable thermal cycle results from room temperature to 630 K, PT/PZT could be a good piezoelectric material for ultrasonic transducer application, not only for high temperatures but also a wide temperature range.