Electrical properties of PLZT 9.5/65/35 ceramics

Electrical properties of hot-pressed PLZT 9.5/65/35 ceramics were investigated as a function of applied voltage, temperature, and humidity. Conductivity at moderate field levels follows the Arrhenius equation with an activation energy of 1.24 eV. For the values of the electric field in the range of 15 to 80 kV/cm and temperature extending up to 150°C, electrical conductivity fits the behavior predicted by the Schottky model. Using a guarded electrode arrangement, it was determined that surface conductivity shows a greater increase with humidity than the bulk conductivity. Surface conductivity in a humid environment increases with the time of exposure and can be up to two orders of magnitude higher than conductivity in dry air