Microgeometry effect on the properties of Pb0.99(Zr0.95Ti0.05)0.98Nb0.02O3 ferroelectric ceramics

Porous Pb0.99(Zr0.95Ti0.05)0.98Nb0.02O3 ferroelectric ceramics with different pore size were prepared by solid-state sintering in air. The microstructural effect on the properties has been systematically investigated by SEM, ferroelectric hysteresis, strain–electric field curves and breakdown strength measurements. The results demonstrate that the microgeometry has a subtle effect on the ferroelectric and dielectric properties. However, the results also demonstrate that the electric field induced strain and the dielectric breakdown strength decreases with the increase of pore size.

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► Porous Pb0.99(Zr0.95Ti0.05)0.98Nb0.02O3 ferroelectric ceramics are promising substitutes for dense PZT95/5 ferroelectric ceramics, for eliminating the failure probability under application conditions. In this work, porous PZT95/5 ferroelectric ceramics with different pore size were prepared by solid state sintering in air. The microstructural effect on the interested properties has been systematically investigated by SEM, ferroelectric hysteresis, strain–electric field curves and breakdown strength measurements. It was found that the pore size has a subtle effect on the ferroelectric and dielectric properties, whereas the electric field induced strain, dielectric breakdown strength and dielectric breakdown probability decreases with the increase of pore size in the porous PZT5/5 ferroelectric ceramics. This work represents a new advance and a significant complementarity in understanding the relationships between the properties and microstructures of the PZT ferroelectric ceramics.