Influence of post-sintering annealing on relaxor behaviour of (Pb0.75Ba0.25)(Zr0.70Ti0.30)O-3 ceramics

The dielectric and relaxor properties of lead-barium-zirconate-titanate (PBZT) ceramics of composition Ba/Zr/Ti:25/70/30 has been studied as-prepared (unannealed) as well as after annealing at 1000 degrees C for 20, 40 and 60 min, respectively. After the annealing treatment the Pb deficiency for the studied ceramics was found. The influence of a post-sintering annealing on the values of characteristic parameters describing a relaxor behaviour of the studied ceramics (epsilon'(max), T-m, T-f, T-B) was determined. The temperature T-m shifts towards the lower value and the dielectric constant increases after annealing. The general trend seems to indicate that the annealing broadens the temperature region of the specific relaxor properties occurrence. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.