In situ X-ray diffraction study of electric-field-induced domain switching and phase transition in PZT-5H

In situ X-ray experiments were conducted to examine the electric-field-induced phase changes in PZT-5H materials. The X-ray diffraction profiles at different electric-field levels were analyzed by peak fitting and were used to identify the occurrence of non-180degrees domain switching and phase transition. We found that in depolarized samples, there exists a threshold electric field for the phase changes, whereas in polarized samples, no such threshold exists. The profound difference in the diffraction profile changes under positive and negative electric fields in polarized samples is responsible for the asymmetry of piezoelectric effects. Peak fitting results show phase transition as well as domain switching at different electric-field levels. These observations further indicate the importance of residual stresses in materials' behavior.