Structures of Pb1−xLax[Zr0.9Mg(0.1+x)/3Nb(0.2−x)/3]O3 solid solutions, electrostriction and energy storage characteristics of a new antiferroelectric phase with disturbed translational symmetry

Solid solutions of lead zirconate magnesium niobate Pb1−xLax[Zr0.9Mg(0.1+x)/3Nb(0.2−x)/3]O3 (0⋜x⋜0.05) doped with lanthanum ions were prepared. By the analysis of temperature-driven transitions and experiments in strong electric fields, we determined the concentration and temperature intervals of the existence of antiferroelectric and ferroelectric states. X-ray diffraction proved that the antiferroelectric phase, stable with х>0.0175 at TC >Т >45 °C (during the cooling process at zero field), underwent a monoclinic distortion of perovskite cell and showed a disturbed translational symmetry of the orthorhombic superstructure. The energy storage density and electrostrictive strain were measured in the process that induces the antiferroelectric⇄ferroelectric phase transitions.