Ferroelectric–relaxor crossover characteristics in Ba(ZrxTi1−x)O3 ceramics investigated by AFM-piezoresponse study

• Published in: Journal of the European Ceramic Society 2010-01, Vol.30 (2), p.237-241
• Main Authors: Ricinschi, Dan, Ciomaga, Cristina Elena, Mitoseriu, Liliana, Buscaglia, Vincenzo, Okuyama, Masanori
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0955-2219
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2009.05.022

High density Ba(ZrxTi(1-x))O3 ceramics (x = 0.10 and 0.18) with homogeneous microstructures and similar grain size were prepared via the solid state route. The dielectric data showed that the relaxor properties are induced by increasing the Zr vs. Ti fraction x, both compositions showing a combined relaxor-ferroelectric character. AFM-piezoresponse experiments revealed a few interesting characteristics. None of the samples could be totally poled or switched, like the normal ferroelectrics. Also, the samples locally present different types of responses (ferroelectric with a strong piezoresponse, field-induced ferroelectric, polar but non-switchable and non-polar regions). Both of the regions with a natural strong piezoresponse and the ones obtained after poling are larger in size and more stable in time for the sample with x = 0.10 than for x = 0.18. The sample having x = 0.18 has a smaller piezoresponse than that with x = 0.10. The observed local features confirm the ferroelectric-relaxor crossover with increasing x, as observed by analysis of the dielectric data.