Effects of the particle size and the firing atmosphere on electrical properties in PNN-PZT thick films

Abstract

Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O-3-PbZrO3-PbTiO3 (PNN-PZT) thick films were screen-printed on platinized alumina substrates and fired at 800-1000degreesC under PbO atmosphere or in air. Effects of the starting particle size and the firing atmosphere on the microstructure and electrical properties of the thick films were investigated. Attrition milling produced smaller particle size than ball milling. Thick films prepared from attrition-milled powders showed more uniform microstructure at all firing temperatures and also denser microstructure and better electrical properties at firing temperature above 900degreesC than thick films prepared from ball-milled powders. PbO atmosphere improved electrical properties of thick films prepared from attrition-milled powders while little influenced on those of thick films prepared from ball-milled powders. Electrical properties of the thick film prepared from attrition-milled powders and fired at 900degreesC under PbO atmosphere were as follows: dielectric constant of 604, remanent polarization of 17.4 mu/cm(2) and coercive field of 60.6 kV/cm.