PLZT-Modified Relaxor Piezoelectric Ceramic System for Medical Diagnostic Applications

Abstract

The piezoelectric ceramic system [Pb0.978–yLa0.012Ba0.01Sry][(Zr0.534Ti0.466)0.987Nb0.008]O3 (PLBSZNT) has been fabricated for use in medical diagnostics applications. The fundamental pre-requisites are high-density, high dielectric constant and high piezoelectric properties that serve as compatible ceramic materials for medical diagnostic applications. It is essential for sensitive transducers that the piezoelectric ceramics must efficiently convert between electrical and mechanical energy, and so the electromechanical coupling coefficients should be high, as the fabrication process of tiny elements for medical arrays must be carried out without damaging the material and its properties. In our study, Sr-modified PLBZNT had shown single ferroelectric tetragonal phase. An analysis of different Sr doping concentration is reported, and the high dielectric permittivity, low dielectric loss along with high electromechanical properties indicate that PLBSZNT is suitable for medical diagnostic applications as well as sensors and actuators.