Transmission electron microscopy observations of ferroelectric domains in the tetragonal Pb(Ni1/3Nb2/3)O-3-PbZrO3-PbTiO3 ceramics modified by bismuthand zinc

Ferroelectric domains of the tetragonal (Pb0.985Bi0.01)(Ni1/4Zn1/12Nb2/3)(0 .2)(ZrsigmaTi1-sigma)(0.8)O-3 (sigma =0.30 and 0.40) ceramics were investig ated by transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction. It was o bserved that the 90 degrees macrodomains displayed the shape of simple lame lla twinning, and that the delta -fringe contrast was frequently observed w ithin these configurations of 90 degrees domains. The 180 degrees domain wa lls with zigzag structure between 90 degrees domain walls were also observe d. The formation sequences of the 90 degrees and 180 degrees domain structu res were discussed in terms of energy minimization during the phase transit ion from cubic to tetragonal ferroelectric phase on cooling. (C) 2001 Ameri can Institute of Physics.