High-Performance PbZn1/3Sb2/3O3–PbNi1/2Te1/2O3–PbZrO3–PbTiO3 Ceramics Sintered at a Low Temperature with the Aid of Complex Additives Li2CO3–Bi2O3–CdCO3

Low-temperature-sintered PbZn1/3Sb2/3O3–PbNi1/2Te1/2O3–PbZrO3–PbTiO3 (PZS–PNT–PZT) ceramics with high piezoelectric properties were prepared from commercially available materials using complex additives of Li2CO3–Bi2O3–CdCO3 (LBC) as a sintering aid. The introduction of LBC complex additives in PZS–PNT–PZT ceramics can not only lower the optimum sintering temperature from 1265°C to 980°C, but can also improve the electromechanical properties. The results of the isothermal shrinkage kinetics and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observations suggest that the sintering of PZS–PNT–PZT ceramics with the addition of LBC additives seems to be mainly facilitated by the occurrence of a liquid phase during heating. The rate of grain growth is related to the densification stages.