90°-domain reversal in Pb(ZrxTi1-x)O3 ceramics

A simple and direct method is proposed which can be used for quantitatively distinguishing the mechanisms of domain reorientation processes in polycrystalline materials. Using this method, the 90° domain reorientation in Pb(Zr_xTi_1-x)O₃ (PZT) ceramic under electric field was examined by X-ray diffraction analysis. It was found that the polarization switching in the PZT ceramic with a composition near the morphotropic phase boundary is predominantly controlled by two successive 90° domain processes rather than by 180° domain wall reversal. Experimental results also indicate that the coercive field of the ceramics is related to the cooperative deformation associated with each grain, which arises from the 90° domain reversal process