Investigation on La, Ba and PMN Modified PZT Solid Solutions

The influence of multiple doping (A-site modifiers: La, Ba and Pb(Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 ) on dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of Pb(Zr 0.55 Ti 0.45 )O 3 solid solutions synthesized through mixed oxide and columbite precursor methods, respectively were investigated. La and Ba introduction in Pb(Zr 0.55 Ti 0.45 )O 3 resulted in rhombohedral (FE RH ) to tetragonal (FE TET ) phase change whereas PMN and La modified Pb(Zr 0.55 Ti 0.45 )O 3 attained pseudocubic phase with reduced pyrochlore phase. The A-site modification in PZT inhibited the grain growth while density enhanced. The increasing Ba2+ content in PLZT and La 3+ content in PMN-PZT remarkably enhanced ϵ RT and ϵ Tc , respectively. The optimum ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties were observed in 5 mole% Ba doped PLZT and 1.2 mole% La doped 0.3PMN-0.7PZT, respectively.