Influence of the initial lead content on the properties of doped pzt ceramics prepared by wet or dry methods

The influence of the initial lead content on properties of a Nb5+ or Sb5+-doped PZT composition has been studied. It is found that with ceramics prepared by a wet method the lead content corresponding to a balanced distribution of A site and B site vacancies leads to the best results. In the case of ceramics prepared following a classical mixed-oxide method only slight differences are observed. Moreover the wet process increases noticeably the piezoelectric properties.