Spontaneous phase transition from relaxor to macrodomain ferroelectric state in single-crystal PbSc0.5Nb0.5O3-BaSc0.5Nb0.5O3 solid solutions

The cooling of Pb_1?x Ba_xSc_0.5Nb_0.5O₃ solid solutions with x≤0.04 leads to a spontaneous transition from a relaxor to a macrodomain ferroelectric state, accompanied by anomalous variation of the dielectric and optical properties of the material. As the barium content in the system increases, the relaxor state becomes more stable and eventually “freezes” at x≈0.05. The crystals with x=0.06 exhibited the appearance of a macrodomain ferroelectric phase induced both by an external electric field with a strength of 1.5 kV/cm and by an internal electric field formed in the course of dielectric aging.     

Enhanced piezoelectric properties near the morphotropic phase boundary in lead-free (1-x)(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3-xBi(Ni0.5Ti0.5)O3 ceramics

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics of the composition (1-x)(Bi_0.5K_0.50)TiO₃-xBi(Ni_0.50Ti_0.50)O₃ or (1-x)BKT-xBNiT (when x = 0–0.20 mol fraction) were prepared by a conventional mixed-oxide method and sintered at 1050 °C for 4 h. The effects of BNiT content on the phase equilibria, and the dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties were systematically investigated. High density sintered specimens (5.71–6.12 g/cm³) were obtained for all compositions. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that all BKT-BNiT samples exhibited a single perovskite phase which confirms that BNiT and BKT formed a solid solution up to x = 0.20. A morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) separating a BKT-rich tetragonal phase and a BNiT pseudo-cubic phase was identified over the compositional range 0.05 < x < 0.10, where enhanced electrical properties were observed. The optimum dielectric properties (ε_r = 1710, tanδ = 0.036), ferroelectric properties (P_r = 16.6 μC/cm², E_c = 22.5 kV/cm and R_sq = 0.86) and piezoelectric properties (d₃₃ = 288 pC/N, S_max = 0.22% and d^*₃₃ = 313 pm/V) were observed with a relatively high T_m ∼ 304 °C within this MPB region. Overall, these results indicate that the BKT-BNiT ceramic system is a promising lead-free piezoelectric candidate for further development for actuator applications.     

Relationship between phase structure and electrical properties of (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3-LiTaO3 lead-free ceramics

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics of (1−x)K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃-xLiTaO₃ (KNN-LT) system have been investigated in this work. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra measurements, DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetric), and dielectric constant versus temperature provide direct evidence that the phase transition temperature between tetragonal and orthorhombic shift to lower temperature with the increasing of LT content. The KNN-0.05LT ceramics exhibit the highest high-field d₃₃ up to 220 pm/V. At the same time, we also investigated the relationship between phase structure and electric properties, showing that the orthorhombic phase presents better piezoelectric temperature stabilities than the tetragonal phase. The result may provide a new way for KNN-based lead-free ceramics.     

Resistance switching in Fe-doped P0.7Ca0.3MnO3 thin films

An enhanced electric-pulse-induced resistance (EPIR) switching effect is observed in the Ag/P_0.7Ca_0.3Mn_1 − xFe_xO₃/YBa₂Cu₃O₇ (Ag/PCMFO/YBCO) and Ag/(PCMFO/PCMO)/YBCO structures. Unlike in the PCMO-based EPIR devices, where the Ag/PCMO interface plays a crucial role, both the Ag/PCMFO interface and the bulk PCMFO are found to have significant contributions to the EPIR switching of the PCMFO-based device. A possible explanation is to extend the pulse-driven oxygen ion/vacancy motion model at the metal/PCMO interface region to the bulk PCMFO.     

Post-sintering annealing effect on the diffuse phase transition in (Pb1−xBax)(Yb0.5Ta0.5)O3 ceramics

The effect of post sintering annealing on the dielectric response of (Pb_1−xBa_x)(Yb_0.5Ta_0.5)O₃ ceramics in the diffuse phase transition range (x=0.2) has been investigated. The samples are prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method. The samples are sintered at 1300 °C for 2 h and annealed at different temperatures (800, 900 and 1000 °C) for 8 h and at 800 °C for different time durations (8, 12 and 24 h). A significant change in the dielectric response has been observed in all the samples. The dielectric constant increases remarkably and the dielectric loss tangent decreases. The dielectric peaks of the annealed samples are observed to be more diffused with noticeable frequency dispersion compared to the as sintered sample.     

Evolution from relaxor-like dielectric to ferroelectric in Ba[(Fe0.5Nb0.5)1−xTix]O3 solid solutions

Ba[(Fe_0.5Nb_0.5)_1−xTi_x]O₃ (x=0.2,0.4,0.6,0.8,0.85,0.9 and 0.95) solid solutions were synthesized by a standard solid-state reaction technique. X-ray diffraction at room temperature and dielectric characteristics over a broad temperature and frequency range were evaluated systematically. The structure of Ba[(Fe_0.5Nb_0.5)_1−xTi_x]O₃ solid solutions changed from cubic to tetragonal with increasing x. A Debye-like dielectric relaxation following the Arrhenius law similar to that in Ba(Fe_0.5Nb_0.5)O₃ was observed at lower temperature in the composition range 0.2≤x≤0.8, while the relaxor ferroelectric, diffused ferroelectric and normal ferroelectric behavior were observed for x=0.85,0.9 and 0.95, respectively. The process of the evolution of relaxor-like dielectric to ferroelectric suggested the changing from dilute polar micro-domains to polar micro-domains, polar micro/macro-domains and then polar macro-domains in the present ceramics.     

Enhancement microwave dielectric properties of La(Mg0.5Sn0.5)O3 ceramics by substituting La3+ with Sm3+

The microwave dielectric properties of La_1?xSm_x(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics were examined with a view to their exploitation for mobile communication. The La_1?xSm_x(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid-state method with various sintering temperatures. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the La_0.97Sm_0.03(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics revealed no significant variation of phase with sintering temperatures. Apparent density of 6.59 g/cm³, dielectric constant (ε_r) of 19.9, quality factor (Q×f) of 70,200 GHz, and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τ_f) of ?77 ppm/°C were obtained for La_0.97Sm_0.03(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics that were sintered at 1500 °C for 4 h. The dielectric constant, and τ_f of La_0.97Sm_0.03(Mg_0.5Sn_0.5)O₃ ceramics were almost independent with the sintering temperature as the sintering temperature varied from 1450 to 1600 °C.     

Pr0.5Ca0.5MnO3/Si异质结输运特性和整流特性研究

利用固相反应法制备Pr_0.5Ca_0.5MnO₃(PCMO)靶材,并采用脉冲激光沉积法(PLD)在n型Si(111)基片上沉积PCMO外延薄膜,研究了薄膜的输运特性及薄膜与Si衬底形成异质结的整流特性.结果表明:在80—300 K温度范围内,PCMO薄膜的阻温关系符合变程跳跃模型,随着温度的升高表现出从一维到二维再到三维的转变,分析认为可能源于轨道自由度对电子输运特性的影响.PCMO/Si异质结在磁场作用下整流特性得到改善,且在正向电流方向出 关键词： 0.5Ca_0.5MnO₃')" href="#">Pr_0.5Ca_0.5MnO₃ Si 整流 正磁电阻     

La诱导(Pb(1-3x/2)Lax)(Zr0.5Sn0.3Ti0.2)O3反铁电介电弛豫研究

采用标准电子陶瓷工艺制备了(Pb_(1-3x/2)La_x)(Zr_0.5Sn_0.3Ti_0.2)O₃(PLZST,0.00≤x≤0.18)反铁电陶瓷,利用X射线衍射、不同频率下弱场介电温谱、强场下的极化强度-电场(P-E)测试研究了材料相结构和电学性能.实验结果发现,随La含量x增大,室温下材料由铁电三方相(关键词： 反铁电陶瓷 介电频率色散 相变弥散 介电弛豫     

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of lead-free (Na0.5K0.5)NbO3-SrTiO3 ceramics

In this article, we report successful preparation of dense [(Na_0.5K_0.5)_1−xSr_x](Nb_1−xTi_x)O₃ (x=0.005-0.100) ceramics by ordinary sintering in air. The dependence of phase structure on doping content of SrO and TiO₂ has been determined by the X-ray diffraction technique. It was found that the crystal structure changed from orthorhombic to tetragonal at x≈0.040. Dielectric study revealed that the dielectric relaxor behavior was induced by doping of SrO and TiO₂ into (Na_0.5K_0.5)NbO₃. The samples in the composition range from x=0.005 to 0.020 exhibited excellent electrical properties, piezoelectric constant of electromechanical planar and thickness coupling coefficients of k_p=26.6-32.5% and k_t=39.8-43.8%. The results show that the [(Na_0.5K_0.5)_1−xSr_x](Nb_1−xTi_x)O₃ ceramics are one of the promising lead-free materials for electromechanical transducer applications.     

Dielectric,ferroelectric and field-induced strain response of lead-free BaZrO3-modified Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 ceramics

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramics (1 − x)Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃–xBaZrO₃ (BNT–BZ100x, with x = 0–0.10) were prepared using a conventional solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure, microstructure, dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of BNT–BZ100x ceramics were studied as functions of different BZ content. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the BZ completely diffused in the BNT lattice in the studied composition range. An appropriate amount of BZ addition improved the dielectric, ferroelectric, and piezoelectric properties of BNT ceramics. The remanent polarization (P_r) and piezoelectric constant (d₃₃) increased from 22 μC/cm² and 60 pC/N for pure BNT to 30 μC/cm² and 112 pC/N for x = 0.040, respectively. In addition, electric field-induced strain was enhanced to its maximum value (S_max = 0.40%) with normalized strain (d*₃₃ = S_max/E_max = 500 pm/V) at an applied electric field of 8 kV/mm for x = 0.055. The enhanced strain can be attributed to the coexistence of ferroelectric and relaxor ferroelectric phases.     

High-temperature X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering studies of Ba-doped (Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3 Pb-free piezoceramics

The structural changes in (100 ? x)Na_0.5Bi_0.5TiO₃–xBaTiO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 10) ceramics were investigated as a function of composition and temperature by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. As Ba concentration increases, the structure changed from rhombohedral to tetragonal (x ≥ 6.5) across a morphotropic phase boundary like phase coexistence at x ～ 5.5, which is further evidenced by phonon anomalies observed in composition-dependent Raman spectra. On heating, the disappearance of peak splits in {111} (x ≤ 5) and {200} (x ≥ 6.5) Bragg peaks and the changes in their 2θ-positions indicated temperature-driven structural changes: ferroelectric to antiferroelectric (≈T_d, depolarization temperature) at 220 °C and antiferroelectric to paraelectric (rhombohedral to tetragonal) at 320 °C. In addition, Raman spectral analysis suggested that at elevated temperatures, two tetragonal phases with slightly different space groups coexisted at x ≥ 6.5 and most of the phase transition temperatures shifted towards left with increasing x.     

Comparative study of magnetic and electric field induced insulator-metal-transitions in Pr1-xCaxMnO3 films

The insulator-metal (IM)-transition in Pr_1-xCa_xMnO₃ (PCMO) is of particular interest because it can be induced by a variety of external forces, such as magnetic and electric fields, photon exposure and hydrostatic pressure. In this paper, we present a comparative study of the IM-transition in magnetic and electric fields for epitaxial thin films prepared by pulsed laser deposition. The transport data as a function of applied field or temperature give strong evidence for the presence of electronic phase separation. However, the observed different IM-transitions in magnetic and electric fields indicate that two different areas of spatially inhomogeneous electronic ground states in the phase diagram of PCMO are involved.     

Evolution of microstructure and dielectric properties of (LiCe)-doped Na0.5Bi2.5Nb2O9 Aurivillius type ceramics

Aurivillius type (NaBi)_0.5?x(LiCe)_xBi₂Nb₂O₉ ceramics were prepared by the standard ceramics route. The single crystal structural ceramics were achieved for all compositions and lattice distortion was decreased by (LiCe) dopants. The temperature dependent dielectric properties revealed that all compositions possess a high Curie-temperature (>780 °C). A modified Curie–Weiss relationship is used to study the diffuseness behavior of a ferroelectric phase transition indicating the degree of diffuseness of NBN-based ceramics increased with (LiCe) modifications. The degradation of resistance implied a plausible model that Ce⁴⁺ ions entered into the B-site of the pseudo-perovskite structure and acted as acceptor doping. Further investigation demonstrated that both electrical conduction and dielectric relaxation processes were associated with the oxygen vacancies produced by the substitution of Nb⁵⁺ ions by the Ce⁴⁺ ions.     

Phase diagram of the relaxor (1−x)Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3 investigated by dielectric and Raman spectroscopies

Lead zinc niobate-lead titanate[(1−x)Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-xPbTiO₃] (PZN-PT) crystals with x=4.5% and x=12% have been investigated using dielectric and Raman measurements over a range of temperatures. Above room temperature, dielectric measurements show that both compositions exhibit structural phase transitions according to the phase diagram proposed by Kuwata et al. [Ferroelectrics 387 (1981) 579]. Below room temperature, an anomaly at around 180 K for the x=12% sample is observed, suggesting another phase transition. Raman measurements are used to study all phase transitions.     

Structure and magnetic properties of Ni0.5Zn0.5Mn0.5-xMoxFe1.5O4 ferrites prepared by sol-gel auto-combustion method

A series of Mo doped Ni-Mn-Zn ferrites compounds with the formula Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Mn_0.5-xMo_xFe_1.5O₄ (x = 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.075 and 0.1) were first synthesized by sol-gel auto-combustion method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) analysis were carried out to characterize the microstructural and magnetic properties of ferrites. Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction data confirmed the formation of cubic spinel structure and the emergence of FeMoO₄ phase with the substitution of Mo⁶⁺ contents. The grain size increased remarkably due to the formation of the liquid phase. The saturation magnetization (M_s) increased while the coercivity (H_c) decreased from 67.3 to 12.1 Oe due to the decrease of magneto-crystalline anisotropy constant. The initial permeability (μ_i) increased significantly from 34 (x = 0) to 114 (x = 0.075) and later decreased for x = 0.1. In our experiment, Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Mn_0.425Mo_0.075Fe_1.5O₄ ferrite presented the best microstructure and soft magnetic properties.     

Magnetic phase diagrams of Mn(Nb0.5Ta0.5)2O6

The magnetic phase diagrams of Mn(Nb_0.5Ta_0.5)₂O₆ have been determined by means of neutron diffraction. Two spin-flop-transitions G_xA_z → A_xG_z → G_y have been detected in a magnetic field parallel to the x-direction. The first phase boundary increases as the temperature rises up to a triple point at 4.74 K and 20.5 kOe, whereas the second phase boundary decreases until another triple point at 4.55 K and 35.5 kOe is reached. In fields parallel to the z-direction a transition G_xA_z → G_xG_z has been revealed, the phase boundary meets the paramagnetic one in a triple point at 4.65 K and 55 kOe.     

An electron paramagnetic resonance study of phase segregation in Nd0.5Sr0.5MnO3

We present results of an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of Nd_1−xSr_xMnO₃ with x=0.5 across the paramagnetic to ferromagnetic, insulator to metal transition at 260 K (T_c) and the antiferromagnetic, charge ordering transition (T_N=T_co) at 150 K. The results are compared with those on Nd_0.45Sr_0.55MnO₃ which undergoes a transition to a homogeneous A-type antiferromagnetic phase at T_N=230 K and on La_0.77Ca_0.23MnO₃ which undergoes a transition to coexisting ferromagnetic metallic and ferromagnetic insulating phases. For x=0.5, the EPR signals below T_c consist of two Lorentzian components attributable to the coexistence of two phases. From the analysis of the temperature dependence of the resonant fields and intensities, we conclude that in the mixed phase ferromagnetic and A-type antiferromagnetic (AFM) phases coexist. The x=0.55 compound shows a single Lorentzian throughout the temperature range. The signal persists for a few degrees below T_N. The behaviour of the A-type AFM phase is contrasted with that of the two ferromagnetic phases present in La_0.77Ca_0.23MnO₃. The comparison of behaviour of A-type AFM signal observed in both Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ and Nd_0.45Sr_0.55MnO₃ with the two FM phases of La_0.77Ca_0.23MnO₃, vis-à-vis the shift of resonances with respect to the paramagnetic phases and the behaviour of EPR intensity as a function of temperature conclusively prove that the Nd_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ undergoes phase separation into A-type AFM and FM phases.     

Effects of composition on phase structure and electrical properties of (K0.5Na0.5)0.90Li0.06Sr0.02Nb(1−x)SbxO3 ceramics

Lead-free (K_0.5Na_0.5)_0.90Li_0.06Sr_0.02Nb_(1−x)Sb_xO₃ (KNLSN-Sb_x) ceramics were synthesized by ordinary sintering technique. The compositional dependence of phase structure and electrical properties of the ceramics was systematically investigated. All samples possessed pure perovskite structure, showing room temperature symmetries of orthorhombic at x<0.01, coexistence of orthorhombic and tetragonal phases at x=0.01, and tetragonal at 0.02≤x≤0.05. The temperature of the polymorphic phase transition (PPT) was shifted to lower temperature and dielectric relaxor behavior was induced by increasing Sb content. The samples near the coexistence region (x=0.01) exhibited enhanced electrical properties: d₃₃∼145 pC/N, k_p∼38% and P_r∼20.4 μC/cm².     

Crystal structure and the magnetic state of Pr0.5Sr0.5Co0.5Fe0.5O3

The magnetic properties and crystal structure of the Pr_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.5Fe_0.5O₃ compound are studied by neutron and x-ray diffractions using synchrotron radiation. These measurements show that this compound is a dielectric spin glass with a magnetic moment freezing temperature of about 70 K. As temperature decreases in the range 30–95 K, a structure phase transition of the first order occurs with an increase in the symmetry from orthorhombic (space group Imma) to tetragonal (space group I4/mcm). It is assumed that the transition is caused by a change in the 4f electron configuration of the Pr³⁺ ions.