From raw materials to functional material: synthesis and piezoelectric characterization of PIN–PT binary relaxor material

Abstract Lead indium niobate holds particular attention as a functional piezoelectric material as it can transit from a disordered phase to an organized one with exposure to heat for a long time. Obtaining pure-phase perovskite lead indium niobate ceramics without any pyrochlore phase using the conventional mixed oxide method poses significant challenges. This difficulty arises from the low tolerance and electronegativity difference of lead indium niobate in comparison to other perovskite compounds. The dielectric properties of lead indium niobate can be enhanced by adding lead titanate to its composition. In this study, a binary system of lead indium niobate with lead titanate is synthesised close to the morphotropic phase boundary composition by taking 35, 40 and 45 mol.% of lead titanate by using two-step sintering method. Out of the different compositions, the lead indium niobate with 35 mol.% of lead titanate shows high piezoelectric properties and can be a suitable material for energy harvesting.