Enhanced photovoltaic response in lead lanthanum zirconate-titanate ceramics with A-site deficient composition for photostrictor application

Samples of (Pb-0.97, La-0.03)(Zr-0.52. Ti-0.48)(1-0.03/4)O-3 (PLZT) ceramic s with and without an A-site deficient composition of 1 mol% in ABO(3) pero vskite structures have been prepared by sintering at 1200 degrees C for 2h to investigate the photovoltaic response upon UV illumination, as well as t he ferroelectric and piezoelectric parameters such as the polarization-elec tric field (P-E) hysteresis curve, strain constant, and dielectric constant . Results confirmed that the A-site deficient composition generates a photo voltaic current twofold higher than that in the sample without the deficien t composition. In the ferroelectric and piezoelectric parameters. no signif icant difference was measured between the two samples. These results indica te that the photostrictor response is mostly determined by the photovoltaic properties and that the overall response speed of photostriction can be ma rkedly improved by enhanced photovoltaic current.