Local-scale structures across the morphotropic phase boundary in PbZr 1- x Ti x O 3

Nan Zhang, Hiroko Yokota, A. M. Glazer*, D. A. Keen, Semën Gorfman, P. A. Thomas, Wei Ren, Zuo Guang Ye

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is one of the most widely studied piezoelectric materials, mainly because of its 'mysterious' relationship between the so-called morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) and its strong piezoelectric coupling factor. Using results from a pair distribution function analysis, this paper examines how the complex local structure in PZT affects the long-range average structure across the MPB. A monoclinic M C type structure is discovered in PZT. A first-order transformation between the monoclinic M A and M C components in both the average and local structures explains the sudden change in piezoelectric effect around these compositions. The role of polarization rotation in the enhancement of the piezoelectric properties is discussed with respect to the composition of PZT. The structure-property relationship that is revealed by this study explains the unique properties of PZT, and may be applicable in the design of new MPB-type functional materials.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)73-81
Number of pages9
JournalIUCrJ
Volume5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018

Funding

FundersFunder number
Bundes-ministerium für Bildung und Forschung05K13PSA
Office of Naval ResearchN00014-12-1-1045, N00014-16-1-3106
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada203773
Japan Society for the Promotion of Science17K05489
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology15K1764
National Natural Science Foundation of China61604123
Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities

    Keywords

    • PZT
    • local structure
    • morphotropic phase boundary
    • polarization rotation

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