Diffuse phase transition in Cs-modified PLZT ferroelectrics

The polycrystalline samples of Pb0.9(La1−z/3Csz)0.1(Zr0.53Ti0.47)0.975O3 (z=0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7) (referred as PLCZT) were prepared near morphotropic phase boundary through a chemical route (i.e. Pechini method). X-ray diffraction studies of these samples suggest the formation of good quality and homogenous compounds at relatively low temperatures (∼800 °C). Detailed dielectric studies of the PLCZT compounds as a function of temperature [room temperature (30 °C) to 350 °C] in a low frequency region (100–104 Hz) show that these compounds can have diffuse phase transition with higher value of Cs concentration. Studies on electrical conductivity or resistivity (ac/dc) and piezo/pyroelectric properties provided some interesting physical parameters of the materials useful for devices.