Research of Controlled Components on PZT-ZnO-Based Multifunctional Electronic Ceramics with Piezoelectricity and Varistor Behaviors

To synergistically integrate piezoelectric and varistor functionalities in a single material, PNN-PZT piezoelectric powder (abbreviated as P) and ZnO-based varistor powder (abbreviated as Z) were utilized to fabricate PZT-ZnO composite ceramics (denoted as PZm) via conventional solid-state sintering. The P/Z molar ratio was regulated to 1/0.9, 1/1.05, 1/1.2, 1/1.35, and 1/1.5 to systematically study its influence on the phase composition, microstructure, and electrical properties of the composites. XRD, SEM, EDS characterization, and electrical performance tests were carried out. Results indicate that all PZm samples exhibit the biphasic coexistence of perovskite (piezoelectric phase) and wurtzite (varistor phase) without impurity phases, consisting of large perovskite grains with distinct edges and small wurtzite grains with smooth surfaces. The PZ3 sample (P/Z = 1/1.2) achieves optimal comprehensive properties: d33 = 161 pC/N, kp = 0.25, Ɛr = 2527, tan δ = 3.83%, E1mA = 1396 V/mm, IL = 8.2 mA, α = 22.06. This work confirms the synergistic optimization of piezoelectric and varistor properties in PZT-ZnO composites, providing a reliable experimental basis for the formulation design and performance regulation of multifunctional ceramics.