Graded PZT ceramics for piezoelectric transformers L. Kozielski * , A. Lisin ´ska-Czekaj, D. Czekaj University of Silesia, Department of Materials Science, 2 Sniezna Street, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland Abstract In the present study two types of the synthesized Pb(Zr 1x Ti x )O 3 (PZT) powders differing in Zr/Ti ratio were used to prepare the spatially inhomogeneous (i.e., graded) structure. A position-dependent chemical composition was expected to cause the property gradient. Disk-shaped compacts were prepared in a way such that two different orientations of the radial gradients were formed. The solid state sintering under pressure was utilized to prepare ceramics. Simultaneous thermal analysis was used to study thermal be- havior of the ceramic powders. Graded PZT ceramics were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. It was also characterized in terms of its dielectric properties by both bridge technique and the impedance spectroscopy. On the basis of graded PZT ceramics the disk-shaped radial mode piezoelectric transformer was developed and fabricated. Ó 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: PZT; Functionally graded material; Piezoelectric transformer Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................. 522 2. Experimental ............................................................................ 523 3. Results and discussion ................................................................... 525 4. Conclusions ............................................................................. 529 * Corresponding author. E-mail address: kozielsk@us.edu.pl (L. Kozielski). 0079-6786/$ - see front matter Ó 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.progsolidstchem.2007.01.030 Progress in Solid State Chemistry 35 (2007) 521e530 www.elsevier.com/locate/pssc