Impedance spectroscopy study of strontium modified lead zirconate titanate ceramics

(Pb0.97Sr0.03)(Zr0.05Ti0.95)O-3 nanocrystalline powder was prepared by a solution based chemical method. Preliminary x-ray diffractogram analysis of some aspects of crystal structure showed that a single-phase compound was formed exhibiting a tetragonal system. Impedance spectroscopy study showed the presence of both bulk and grain boundary effects in the material, which is also evident from the scanning electron microscope micrographs. The bulk conductivity indicates an Arrhenius-type thermally activated process. The ac conductivity spectrum obeyed the Jonscher power law. Modulus analysis indicated the possibility of hopping mechanism for electrical processes in the system with a nonexponential type of conductivity relaxation.