Abstract

The influence of Ba doping in 0.5PMN-0.5PLZT composition is investigated for microstructure and nanostructure, dielectric and ferroelectric properties near morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). Lead magnesium niobate (PMN)-lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) nano-ceramics were synthesized through two stage calcination process namely columbite precursor method. XRD studies revealed that incorporation of Ba and PMN in PLZT perovskite resulted in pseudocubic phase with reduced pyrochlore phase. The isovalent additive Ba2 + influenced the microstructure and densification in the nano-ceramics where Ba concentration increased to 1.5 mol% Ba. The grain growth (3.17 m) inhibited while apparent density (7.72 gm/cm3) remarkably enhanced, respectively. TEM studies revealed an average particle size ranging from 24 to 78 nm. The room temperature dielectric response (RT = 2409 and Tc = 21641) increased up to 1 mol% Ba with decreasing dielectric loss (TanRT) and Curie temperature (Tc) throughout the series. Ba substitution in 0.5PMN-0.5PLZT composition enhanced the ferroelectric remanent (Pr = 29.18 C/cm2) and spontaneous (Ps = 32.82 C/cm2) polarization while coercive field (Ec) continuously decreased in the series, which are useful for possible sensor and actuator applications.