Influence of processing methods on dielectric properties of 0.9 Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-0.1PbTiO₃ with V₂O₅

0.9PMN-0.1PT ceramics with V2O5 were prepared by both columbite precursor method and molten salt synthesis method. The V2O5 additive was incorporated as a mill addition to the calcined columbite precursor and a batch addition in the molten salt synthesis method, respectively. Microstructure and dielectric properties were investigated as a function of the amount of V2O5 and the sintering temperature. Dielectric constant and sinterability increased with increase of V2O5 addition up to 0.25 wt% and these properties were degraded by the further addition of V2O5. The level of phase transition diffuseness was enhanced with the increase of V2O5 content. The dielectric constant and the electrostrictive strain were found to be lower in the specimens prepared by the columbite method than in those prepared by the molten salt synthesis. These results were explained by the microstructure and phase analysis.