In situ TEM observations of microstructural characteristics of lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric ceramic during heating to 1000 °C

The microstructural characteristics of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic at high temperature were examined by in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations of lattice and microstructural formations. The PZT ceramic was heated from room temperature to 1000 °C using a compact heating device within the TEM. It was found that the microstructural characteristics of the ceramic changed significantly in various ways as the temperature was raised to 1000 °C. Domain-switching-like behavior was detected around 100 °C. Disordered lattice features such a dislocations disappeared owing to reduction in internal stress at temperatures above 300 °C. Heating to more than 800 °C for a certain period of time led to the formation of a nanocrystalline microstructure and to sublimation of Pb.