Investigation on degree of non-ergodicity and local piezoelectric properties in Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-BiFeO3-PbTiO3 system

Knowledge of the statics and dynamics of ferroelectric domains is of immense importance since they are directly correlated with macroscopic polarization and strain. For the present work, piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) is used to afford insight into field-induced phase transitions and local switching properties of a (1-2x)Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-xBiFeO(3)-xPbTiO(3) system for compositions, x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.07. Rietveld analysis of x-ray diffraction data reveals crystallization of the compound in single and dual phases in the chosen compositions. Upon the application of a local electric field, a phase transition from relaxor to normal ferroelectric (FE) is observed for all samples. A decrease in degree of non-ergodicity is realized within this composition range, which is found by analyzing the stability of field-induced ferroelectric domains. The field-induced FE domains for lower concentrations of x are found to be irreversible and a reversible nature was found for higher values of x. In addition, spatial variations of local switching parameters are investigated with the help of switching spectroscopic-PFM and a maximum local d 33 was found for compositions having dual phases.

Automated summary

Knowledge of the statics and dynamics of ferroelectric domains is crucial for understanding macroscopic polarization and strain. In this study, piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) is used to investigate field-induced phase transitions and local switching properties in a (1-2x)Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3-xBiFeO(3)-xPbTiO(3) system. Rietveld analysis of x-ray diffraction data reveals the crystallization of the compound in single and dual phases for the chosen compositions. The study finds a phase transition from relaxor to normal ferroelectric behavior upon the application of a local electric field, with reversible behavior observed for higher values of x.