Elaboration and characterization of Nb-doped PZT ceramics

The physical properties, such as electrical or mechanical properties, of Pb [ZrxTi1-x]O-3 (PZT) ceramics are strongly influenced by domain-wall-motions , which can be tailored via the substitutions of cations within the A and/o r B sites of the ABO(3) perovskite structure. Different domain mobilities c an be achieved by lead and/or oxygen vacancies, according to the valency an d ionic radius of the dopants. To quantify the near-surface domain mobility , Nb-doped and undoped PZT (50/50) ceramics were prepared. Surface polishin g affected the orientation of ferroelastic 90 degrees -domains at the surfa ce and induced a crystallographic texture of the samples. Soft (Nb-doped) P ZT revealed the highest domain mobility, as evidenced by changes in the int ensity ratio of the {002} and {200} X-ray reflections.