Structural and electrical properties of Sm3+ substituted PZT ceramics

Samarium modified lead zirconate titanate (PSZT: Pb1−xSmx(Zr0.65Ti0.35)O3: x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06) ceramics were synthesized by solid state ceramic route. XRD shows single-phase formation with rhombohedral structure up to x = 0.04. With Sm—substitution, the grain size first increases up to x = 0.02 and then decreases. A metal/ferroelectric/metal (MFM) structure was made by depositing gold electrode on the flat surfaces for electrical measurements. All samples show normal ferroelectric behaviour, however, a squareness of P–E loop (polarization vs. electric field) was observed to increase with Sm content. Higher electromechanical coupling coefficients (Kp and Kt) have been achieved for the PZT with 6 mol% Sm substitution and having fine grain size.