Double hysteresis loops induced by Mn doping in Pb0.99Nb0.02(Zr0.95Ti0.05)0.98O3 ferroelectric ceramics

Pb_0.99Nb_0.02(Zr_0.95Ti_0.05)_0.98O₃ (PNZT95/5) ceramics with 1 mol% and without Mn doping were prepared via conventional solid state reaction process. X-ray diffraction patterns show that the PNZT95/5 and Mn-doped PNZT95/5 (PNZTM95/5) ceramics, with composition near the boundary of the ferroelectric phase (FE)/antiferroelectric phase (AFE), have a rhombohedral perovskite structure. The ferroelectric behavior of PNZT95/5 ceramics is strongly affected by Mn doping. Without any aging process the PNZTM95/5 ceramics possess double hysteresis loops (P–E loops), whereas the PNZT95/5 ceramics possess normal single hysteresis loops. Due to the defect dipoles formed by effectively negatively charged Mn³⁺ dopants and positively charged O²⁻ vacancies, the PNZTM95/5 ceramics exhibit the double P–E loops. The defect dipole effect has been proved by investigating the P–E loops under different external fields. As a result, the PNZTM95/5 ceramics become “hardened”, exhibiting a high mechanical quality factor (1300).