The influence of fabrication processing on domain structure and polarization switching in PZN-based ferroelectric ceramics

Lead zinc niobate (Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3, PZN) based ceramics are prepared by using conventional mixing oxide and complex phase reaction-sintering ceramic techniques. From the results of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), it is clear that these two fabrication processing routes produce different microstructures and ferroelectric domains in the same Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3–BaTiO3–Pb(Zr0.4Ti0.6)O3 composition. Furthermore, different phase transitions are observed for the temperature dependence of the dielectric permittivity that can be confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Different polarization switching characteristics are also examined by using high field-induced strain and ferroelectric hysteresis loop. It is suggested that the distribution of the inner stress and domain configuration should be related with the fabrication processing of ferroelectric ceramics.