Dielectric polarization and strain behavior of Ba(Ti0.92Zr0.08)O3 single crystals

The ferroelectric polarization and strain behavior was studied for Ba(Ti0.92Zr0.08)O-3 single crystals with a rhombohedral symmetry at room temperature. The anisotropic dielectric spectra obtained from different orientation cuts showed suppression of permittivity maximum (epsilon(max)) with increasing frequencies. However, no significant T-c-shift with increasing frequencies was observed. The polarization data obtained from the hysteresis loops measured in a wide temperature range indicated a relaxation-like behavior as the remnant polarization exists much beyond T-c. The unipolar strain level is 0.17% at 55 kV/cm and the piezoelectric strain coefficient d(33) similar to 850 pC/N measured for the <001> oriented Ba(Ti0.92Zr0.08)O-3 single crystals are promising values in a lead-free material for the piezoelectric transducer applications. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.