High-power performance enhancement in PZT-based piezoceramics via hot-pressing
Wan-Ting Cao, Ze Xu, Zhixiang Zhu, Zilong Geng, Jing-Tong Lu, Ziqing Zhong, Hao-Feng Huang, Jiaxin Liu, Yuqi Jiang, Yixuan Liu, Weiwei Gao, Dong Mei Zhu, Kai Huang, Mupeng Zheng, Ke Bi, Ke Wang
Abstract
Piezoelectric ceramics based on lead zirconate titanate are widely used in sensors, actuators, and transducers, but achieving high density and reliable performance for high-power applications remains a major challenge. This study explores optimization of high-power performance through hot-pressing. The combined effect of external pressure and sintering aids reduces the sintering temperature from 1175 °C to 900 °C, minimizing lead volatilization while promoting densification. Sintering in an inert atmosphere generates oxygen vacancies that act as domain-pinning centers, thereby enhancing the stability of piezoelectric properties under high-power conditions. Hot-pressed ceramics reach a maximum vibration velocity of 2.5 m/s, compared with 1.7 m/s for conventionally sintered samples, and the mechanical quality factor remains far more stable at elevated vibration levels. These results provide a practical pathway to improve the durability, efficiency, and reliability of piezoelectric devices in demanding high-power applications. The authors show that hot-pressing markedly improves high-power performance. In the hot-pressing process, the combined effect of applied pressure and sintering aids reduces the sintering temperature, which not only minimizes lead volatilization but also promotes densification.