Simultaneously achieving large transducer figure-of-merits and high curie temperature through acceptor doping in PMN-PAN-PZT ternary system for high power applications

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of Mn doping on the microstructure, phase composition, and electromechanical properties of 0.03Pb(Mg₁_/₃Nb₂_/₃)O₃-0.03Pb(Al₁_/₂Nb₁_/₂)O₃-0.94Pb(Zr₀.₅₂Ti₀.₄₈)O₃ (PMN-PAN-PZT) ceramics for high-power piezoelectric applications. A composition with 0.3 wt% MnO₂ doping was identified as the optimal, exhibiting excellent electromechanical coupling factor ($k_p$= 63 %), piezoelectric coefficient ($d_{33}$ = 370 pC/N), Curie temperature (T_C = 310 °C), and mechanical quality factor ($Q_m$ = 1160). This enhanced performance is attributed to optimized grain growth, increased densification, and oxygen vacancy induced by acceptor doping. In contrast to conventional compositions that rely on high relaxor content containing expensive rare metals such as Nb, this study demonstrates that excellent electromechanical properties can be achieved with only 6 % PMN-PAN, through optimized doping and microstructural control. These findings suggest that Mn-doped PMN-PAN-PZT ceramics are promising cost-effective alternatives for ultrasonic transducers and actuators, where both mechanical quality factor and piezoelectric performance are critical.