Electric field induced antiferroelectric to ferroelectric phase transitionof Pb(Zr,Sn,Ti)O-3 ceramics and tailoring of properties through composition modification

In order to obtain a new kind of antiferroelectric (AFE(t)) ceramics with l ower AFE(t)-Ferroelectric (FER) switching field E-f and less hysterisis los s Delta E for application of large displacement actuator, Ba2+ ionics was e mployed to control the relative stability between AFE(t), FER, and parroele lctrics (PEc) phases in (Pb0.97-xBaxLa0.02)(Zr0.55Sn0.35Ti0.1)O-3(0 less th an or equal to 0.2) system. Structural changes and electric properties as a function of Barium content x have been investigated by X-Ray diffraction, dielectric properties, polarization and longitudinal strain measurement. It is observed that AFE(t) changes to FER, and finally to ferroelectric relax ors(RFE) as Ba content x increases from zero to 0.2. Based upon these exper mental result, we are able to tailor the AFE-FE switching parameters such a s E-f, Delta E and AFE(t) operating temperature range Delta T through modif ying the Ti/Sn ratio near AFE(t)/FER phase boundary in the (Pb0.87Ba0.1La0. 02)(Zr0.6TiySn0.4-y)O-3(0.04 less than or equal to y less than or equal to 0.09) system. Finally, a new kind of AFE(t) ceramics with E-f = 1.6 kV/mm, Delta E = 0.85 kK/mm, and longitudinal strain x = 0.1%-0.2% which is approp riate for application of digital actuators has been obtained. Phase diagram with composition located near AFE(t)/FER boundary of the studied system ha s been determined.