Piezoelectric, ferroelectric and mechanical properties of lead zirconate titanate/zinc oxide nanowhisker ceramics

New lead zirconate titanate/zinc oxide nanowhisker (PZT/ZnO _w) ceramics were fabricated by a conventional solid state processing and their structures, piezoelectric, ferroelectric and mechanical properties were studied. Both the PZT perovskite and ZnO phases can be observed from the X-ray diffraction patterns. The grain size of ceramics is reduced due to the ZnO _w addition. The incorporation of ZnO _w into the PZT ceramics improves the strength and toughness, while deteriorates the piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties. For the PZT/ZnO _w ceramics with 1-2 wt% ZnO _w, the mechanical properties become optimum, meanwhile maintain good piezoelectric and ferroelectric properties: σ _c = 376-484 MPa, σ _f = 115-121 MPa, K _IC = 1.41-1.54 MPa m ^1/2, d ₃₃ = 442-490 p ^C/N, k _p = 0.54-0.55, ε _r = 3,322-3,980, Q _m = 99-101, tanδ = 1.6%-1.7%, P _r = 21.5-26.9 μC/ cm ² and E _c = 8.1-8.6 kV/cm.