Effect of La modifier on the electric hysteresis of lead zirconate stannate titanate compounds

In order to obtain an antiferroelectric material of slim double-hysteresis loop and proper switch electric fields, the effect of lanthanum modifier on the electric hysteresis characteristics of lead zirconate stannate titanate antiferroelectric compounds was studied. The electric hysteresis loops and dielectric constants with temperature variations were measured. The experimental results showed that La addition enhanced the antiferroelectrics of Pb(Zr,Sn,Ti)O-3 Compounds. The switch electric fields increased and the electric hysteresis width DeltaE = E-F - E-B narrowed with La content increase. Meanwhile, the dielectric constant was dispersed with frequency and the dielectric peak that related to the transition from antiferroelectric to paraelectric phase was broadened. La was an available modifier to tune the electric hysteresis width and switch fields of Pb(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3 antiferroelectrics. Finally, an antiferroelectrics of slim double-hysteresis loop and suited switch electric fields was tailored. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.