Influence of perpendicular compressive stress on the phase transition behavior in (Pb,La,Ba,)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3 antiferroelectric ceramics

(Pb0.94−xLa0.04Bax)[(Zr0.60Sn0.40)0.84Ti0.16]O3 (x=0.00−0.04) antiferroelectric ceramics were fabricated via the solid state reaction method, and their phase transition behaviors were systematically studied under perpendicular compressive stress. It is found that incorporation of Ba significantly suppresses the stress-sensitivity of the phase transition, as manifested by slight decreases under stress up to 90 MPa in the maximum polarization (Pm). The differential dielectric constant εd is calculated, and it is apparent that εd is suppressed with increasing stress magnitude. The critical field EF and transition field hysteresis △E determined from εd plots show no stress dependence for any of the tested compositions, unlike those measured under parallel stress in a previous study. In addition, due to the reduction in dissipation energy under perpendicular compressive stress, energy density is very stable with respect to perpendicular compressive stress in the base composition x=0.00, and even increases with Ba modification.