Effects of Zr/Ti ratio on dielectric and ferroelectric properties of 0.8Pb(ZrxTi1−x)O3–0.2Pb(Co1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics

The influences of Zr/Ti ratio on electrical properties of the 0.8Pb(Zr_xTi_1−x)O₃–0.2Pb(Co_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ ceramics prepared by a mixed-oxide method (with x = 0.46, 0.48, 0.50, 0.52, and 0.54) have been investigated in order to identify the morphotropic phase boundary composition in this system. With XRD analysis, the crystal structure of dense specimens appeared to change gradually from tetragonal to rhombohedral with increasing Zr content. The dielectric properties measurements showed a maximum dielectric constant at x = 0.50, while the transition temperature decreased with increasing Zr content in the system. Moreover, all ceramics showed diffused phase transition behaviors with a minimum diffusivity at x = 0.50. In addition, the Polarization–Electric field (P–E) hysteresis loops of the ceramic systems also changed significantly with the Zr content. Interestingly, the loop squareness parameter reached maximum around x = 0.50. Other ferroelectric hysteresis parameters showed noticeable change at x = 0.50. These results clearly showed the significance of Zr/Ti ratio in controlling the electrical properties of the PZT–PCN ceramic systems.     

Ferroelectric properties of Pb(Zr1/2Ti1/2)O3–Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 ceramics under compressive stress

Effects of compressive stress on the ferroelectric properties of ceramics in PZT–PZN system were investigated. The ceramics with a formula (1−x)Pb(Zr_1/2Ti_1/2)O₃–xPb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃ or (1−x)PZT–(x)PZN (x = 0.1–0.5) were prepared by a conventional mixed-oxide method. The ferroelectric properties under the compressive stress of the PZT–PZN ceramics were observed at the stress levels up to 170 MPa using a compressometer in conjunction with a modified Sawyer–Tower circuit. It was found that with increasing compressive stress the area of the ferroelectric hysteresis (P–E) loops, the saturation polarization (P_sat), the remnant polarization (P_r), and the coercive field (E_c) decreased. These results were interpreted through the non-180° ferroelastic domain switching processes.     

Ferroelectric phase transition of Ba1− x Sr x Ti0.6Zr0.4O3 ceramics

Perovskite type Ba_{1? x} Sr _x Ti_0.6Zr_0.4O₃ (with x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.5) ceramics have been synthesized through solid oxide reaction route. The room temperature XRD study suggests the compositions have single phase cubic symmetry. Microstructural studies have shown a step decrease in grain size. The dielectric study reveals that the materials are of relaxor type and undergo a diffuse type ferroelectric phase transition. The diffusivity increases with increase in Sr contents in the studied composition range. The transition temperature decreases with increase in Sr contents due to the decrease in grain size.     

Synthesis and electrical properties of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 ceramics

Ceramic compositions of a combination between lead magnesium niobate, Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃, and lead titanate, PbTiO₃, were fabricated by using Mg₄Nb₂O₉ precursor technique. Their electrical properties with respect to temperature and frequency were examined and the effect of sintering conditions on phase formation, densification, microstructure and electrical properties of the ceramics were examined. It has been found that optimisation of sintering condition can lead to a highly dense and pyrochlore-free PMN–PT ceramics. The gradual decreasing of the physical properties of the sintered ceramics was related to the gradual decrease of density and inhomogeneous microstructure. The results also revealed that for the lower concentration of lead titanate a relaxor behavior is noticed with a high electrostrictive effect, which was almost hysteretic free. However, higher amount of lead titanate led to a normal ferroelectric behavior.     

Structural and dielectric anomaly in Na1−XKxNbO3, at x = 0.315

Structural and dielectric properties of sodium-potassium niobate (Na_1?x K_xNbO₃) (0.250?≤?x?≤?0.350) ceramics, prepared by the solid-state reaction method were investigated. Observed dielectric properties show a strong compositional dependence, at all the measured temperatures (from room temperature to 150°C) and frequencies (from 1 to 1000?kHz). In the prepared compositions, the lowest values of dielectric permittivity, loss tangent and electrical conductivity were found, and an anomaly in the shifting pattern of X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks and change in the slope of a/c vs. x plot were observed at x?=?0.315. The observed structural and dielectric anomaly gives a morphotropic phase boundary-like indication, in Na_1?xK_xNbO₃ system, at x?=?0.315.     

Phase formation and dielectric properties of (Pb0.925Ba0.075)(Zr1− x Ti x )O3 ceramics prepared by the solid-state reaction method

Lead barium zirconate titanate [(Pb_0.925Ba_0.075)(Zr_{1? x} Ti _x )O₃] ceramics with 0?≤?x?≤?1 were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The calcination temperatures were between 800°C and 1000°C for 1?h and the sintering temperature was 1200°C for 3?h. It was found that the structure of the calcined powders and sintered pellets was in an orthorhombic phase for x?=?0; a rhombohedral phase for x?=?0.25 and a tetragonal phase for 0.5?≤?x?≤?1. The c/a ratio increased with an increase in the x content. The average particle size and density slightly decreased with an increase in the x content, while the average grain size, linear shrinkage, and Curie temperature increased when the x content increased.     

Structural properties,phase stability,elastic properties and electronic structures of Cu–Ti intermetallics

The structural properties, phase stabilities, anisotropic elastic properties and electronic structures of Cu–Ti intermetallics have been systematically investigated using first principles based on the density functional theory. The calculated equilibrium structural parameters agree well with available experimental data. The ground-state convex hull of formation enthalpies as a function of Cu content is slightly symmetrical at CuTi with a minimal formation enthalpy (–13.861 kJ/mol of atoms), which indicates that CuTi is the most stable phase. The mechanical properties, including elastic constants, polycrystalline moduli and anisotropic indexes, were evaluated. G/B is more pertinent to hardness than to the shear modulus G due to the high power indexes of 1.137 for G/B. The mechanical anisotropy was also characterized by describing the three-dimensional (3D) surface constructions. The order of elastic anisotropy is Cu₄Ti₃ > Cu₃Ti₂ > α-Cu₄Ti > Cu₂Ti > CuTi > β-Cu₄Ti > CuTi₂. Finally, the electronic structures were discussed and Cu₂Ti is a semiconductor.     

In situ X-ray diffraction studies of phase transition in Pb1− x La x Zr0.40Ti0.60O3 ferroelectric ceramics

The temperature dependence of the crystalline structure and the lattice parameters of Pb_{1? x} La _x Zr_0.40Ti_0.60O₃ ferroelectric ceramic system with 0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.21 was determined. The samples with x ≤ 0.11 show a cubic-to-tetragonal phase transition at the maximum dielectric permittivity, T _max. Above this amount and especially for the x = 0.12 sample, a spontaneous phase transition from a relaxor ferroelectric state (cubic phase) to a ferroelectric state (tetragonal phase) is observed upon cooling below the T _max. Unlike what has been reported in other studies, the x = 0.13, 0.14, and 0.15 samples, which present a more pronounced relaxor behavior, also presents a spontaneous normal-to-relaxor transition, indicated by a cubic to tetragonal symmetry below the T _max. The origin of this anomaly has been associated with an increase in the degree of tetragonality, confirmed by the measurements of the X-ray diffraction patterns. The differential thermal analysis (DSC) measurements also confirm the existence of these phase transitions.     

Phase transition and linear thermal expansion of (Pb1− x Ba x )ZrO3 ceramics

(Pb_{1? x} Ba _x )ZrO₃ ceramics for the composition range 0?≤?x?≤?0.30 were prepared by the mixed oxide solid state reaction method. Phase transition was studied by dielectric and dilatometric measurements. The ferroelectric to paraelectric phase transition temperature was progressively shifted to a lower temperature by replacing lead with barium. The x?=?0.20 sample showed the maximum dielectric constant of 16,300 at the transition temperature. For compositions 0?≤?x?≤?0.075, the antiferroelectric to ferroelectric phase transition exhibited a large linear thermal expansion. However, the antiferroelectric to ferroelectric phase transition did not exist for 0.10?≤?x?≤?0.30 samples. A phase diagram for PBZ ceramics prepared by the conventional mixed oxide method was also present.     

Polarization Kinetics in Transparent Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–23Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 Ceramic

Physics of the Solid State - The polarization kinetics in a transparent Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–23Pb(Zr0.53Ti0.47)O3 ferroceramic is investigated in the electric fields of 0 < E < 6...     

Synthesis,microstructure and dielectric properties of (1−x)PSN−xPLuN

Ceramic lead niobates and their solid solutions PSN–PLuN (pure lutecium niobate) were synthesized by solid state reactions. The sequence of phases formed at PSN–PLuN synthesis has been studied by X-ray analysis. Their symmetry changed from rhombohedral for PSN to pseudo-monoclinic for the 0.75PSN–0.25PLuN compositions. The performed EDS investigations revealed that the samples PSN–PLuN are perfectly sintered. They contain a little glassy phase and their grains are well shaped. The increase of lutecium content in the examined solid solution caused downward shift of the temperature of the phase transition. The decrease of the achieved permittivity values ? was observed as well.     

Tailoring thermomagnetic properties in Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3–Ni(1−x)ZnxFe2O4

The effect of Zn content on magnetocaloric effect (MCE) in Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃–Ni_(1?x)Zn_xFe₂O₄ (PZT-NZF) with x?=?0, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40 and 0.50 were investigated by phenomenological model. The results show that MCE for PZT-NZF is enhanced with low Zn content. However, for high Zn content samples, MCE for PZT-NZF decreases with Zn. In addition, MCE in PZT-NZF is tunable with Zn content and extends in highly temperature range. It is recommended that that MCE in PZT-NZF is beneficial for magnetic refrigeration for in high temperature.     

Phase transition and impedance spectroscopy analysis of Pb5(Cr1−xAlx)3F19 ceramics

Abstract

Analysis of the a.c. conductivity data of Pb₅Al₃F₁₉ within the complex permittivity formalism allowed, in a previous work, to show a new transition at 670 K corresponding most probably to the expected, but hitherto unobserved, transition from the paraelastic phase II to the paraelectric prototype phase I of Pb₅Al₃F₁₉. A new investigation of Pb₅(Cr_0.1Al_0.9)₃F₁₉ confirms this and allows us to complete the phase diagram of the Pb₅(Cr_1?x ;Al_x)3F₁₉ solid solution system for (0.80 ? x ? 1) in the high-temperature range. Ceramics with compositions corresponding to x = 0 and 0.5 were also characterized by this type of spectroscopy impedance method.