Ferroelectric and magnetic properties of ferroelectromagnetic PbFe1/2Nb1/2O3 type ceramics

PbFe1/2Nb1/2O3 (PFN) ceramics, to which an admixture of manganese oxide (MnO2) was added, was obtained by calcination of the powder in a single stage synthesis. Compacting was made by a free sintering method. Results of investigations of microstructure, magnetic, magnetoelectric, dielectric and piezoelectric properties and electric conductivity vs. temperature are presented. The influence of manganese admixture on the physical properties of the PFN ceramics is presented. The admixtures decrease the electric conduction of the PFN ceramic specimens.

Research Highlights
► The ceramics of the PFN type is a material that is difficult to be used as a poling process because of high electric conduction. The poling process was necessary in order to perform magneto-electric effect examinations. Owing to the use of specific technological conditions of PFN and adding a small amount of the Mn admixture to PFN, it was possible to decrease electric conduction and to polarize the specimens.
► So far the piezoelectric parameters of the PFN type ceramics and the results of the magneto-electric effect examinations have not been presented in scientific publications.
► In the present work we present dielectric properties and piezoelectric parameters ceramics PFN and PMFN (PFN with an admixture manganese) after process polarizing as well as magneto-electric effect examinations.