Dielectric properties and phase transitions of (Pb0.87La0.02Ba0.1)(Zr0.6Sn0.4-xTix)O3 ceramics with compositions near AFE/RFE phase boundry

The electrical properties and phase transition behavior of (Pb0.87La0.02Ba0.1)(Zr0.6Sn0.4-xTix)O-3 solid solutions (PLBZST, 0.04 less than or equal to x0.2) were investigated by the X-ray diffraction, permittivity, pyroelectric current, and P-E electric hysterisis loops. As the composition x increased from 0.04 to 0.2, the antiferroelectric ceramics (x less than or equal to 0.07, AFE) with tetragonal phase changed to the ferroelectric relaxors (RFE, 0.09 less than or equal to x). AFE ceramics showed a peculiar diffuse phase transition and dielectric relaxation at the low temperature (down to -100degreesC) due to a frustration between AFE and FE state. With an increase in composition x, electrically field-induced AFE-FE switching field (EAFE-FE) and AFE-paraelectric (PE) phase transition temperature (T-c) are depressed in the temperature (T)-Ti composition (x) phase diagram, a FE-AFE-PE triple phase point (T-tr) with the lowest transition temperature occurred at x = 0.09. The pyroelectric currents under an application of various external electric field (E) were measured to identify a T-E phase diagram of the PLBZST compound. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.