Study of Microstructure in 0.9PMNTa-0.1PT Ceramics
Abstract Ta-Doping effect on the microstructure of lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate crystalline solutions 0.9PbMg1/3(Nb(1−x)Tax)2/3O3-0.1PbTiO3(PMN-PT) have been firstly investigated in this paper. Scanning Electron Micrographs (SEM) were taken from fractured surfaces of the samples with different additives of x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 1.0 by Hitachi F-2460N microscope operating at an accelerating voltage of 25kV. The chemical content analysis for the synthesized samples performed on JEOL Super Prob733 Energy Perspective Spectrum. The x-ray diffraction was carried out with a Siemens D5000 Dual Diffraction Meter. It is clearly evident that doping Ta in PMNTa-PT can affect the grain size and density of the compounds. Smaller grain size (3.1μm) is formed in the specimens with the additives of x = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 in comparison with those of the specimens without doping (6.6μm) or over doping (6.4μm). The porosity at grain intersections increase with increasing of additive tantalum for niobium site in 0.9PMNTa-0.1PT. Larger grain size (6.4μm), greater non-uniformity and more inter-granular voids are found in the compound, if tantalum completely substitutes niobium (x = 1). No non-reacted starting regents were observed in any of the compositions mentioned above.