An investigation on phase transition behaviors in MgO-doped Pb0.99(Zr0.95Ti0.05)0.98Nb0.02O3 ferroelectric ceramics by Raman and dielectric measurements

• The phase transition behaviors were strongly dependent on MgO concentration.
• The FR(LT)–FR(HT) phase transition temperature obviously shifted toward a lower temperature with increasing MgO addition.
• The FR(HT)–cubic paraelectric (PC) phase transition changed to a higher temperature with increasing MgO addition.
• The distortion of BO6 oxygen octahedron caused by B-site replacement of Mg2+ ions is proposed to explain the observed behaviors.
• Superior room-temperature pyroelectric properties were obtained in 0.1 wt% MgO-modified PZTN 95/5 ceramics during FR(LT)–FR(HT) phase transition.

The phase transition behaviors of Pb0.99(Zr0.95Ti0.05)0.98Nb0.02O3 ferroelectric ceramics doped with different MgO concentrations (0–0.2 wt%) were systematically investigated by Raman and dielectric measurements. Raman results showed that the phase transitions were strongly dependent on MgO concentration. It was found that the low temperature rhombohedral (FR(LT))–high temperature rhombohedral (FR(HT)) ferroelectric phase transition shifted toward a lower temperature with increasing MgO concentration up to 0.1 wt%, while the FR(HT)–cubic paraelectric (PC) phase transition changed to a higher temperature. The Raman results were in good agreement with phase transition determined by dielectric measurements. Moreover, it was indicated that the changes of Raman active modes were related to distortion of BO6 octahedra during the phase transitions. Then, the distortion of BO6 octahedron caused by B-site replacement of Mg2+ ions was proposed to explain the observed behaviors. In addition, the effects of MgO doping on the dielectric, ferroelectric and pyroelectric properties were also discussed.