High pyroelectric response of lead zirconate stannate titanate based antiferroelectric ceramics with low Curie temperature

With a view to solve the problem that the Curie temperature of antiferroelectric ceramics was higher than the use temperature of uncooled infrared detectors, four groups of samples with different Ba content were prepared by conventional solid state reaction process, and the effects of Ba2+ content on the ferroelectric, dielectric and electric field-induced pyroelectric properties of four groups of samples were studied. The results indicated four groups of samples showed different dielectric properties which were attributed that the first and the fourth group of samples were in FE phase and the second and the third group of samples were in AFE phase. Large pyroelectric coefficient can be obtained in all four groups of specimens near room temperature by appropriate Ba doping. The maximum pyroelectric coefficient of 13,800 μC/m2 K and figure of merit of 16.5 × 10−5 Pa−0.5 at room temperature were obtained in (Pb0.97−xBaxLa0.02) (Zr0.7Ti0.05Sn0.25)O3 antiferroelectric ceramics with 0.138 mol Ba content.

Temperature dependence of (a) pyroelectric coefficient and (b) figure of merit for the third group of specimens with 0.138 mol Ba content as a function of an ac field.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► PZST antiferroelectric with a Curie point at room temperature was first prepared.
► The pyroelectric coefficient of antiferroelectric was far higher than that of BST.
► Large coefficient is because dielectric peak became steep under an electric field.
► Improvement of pyroelectric property is beneficial for development of detectors.