Publications Details

In situ transmission electron microscopy study on Nb-doped Pb(Zr 0.95Ti 00.5)O 3 ceramics

Qu, Weiguo; Tan, Xiaoli; Yang, Pin

The ferroelectric-to-ferroelectric phase transition between the high temperature (FE RH) and the low temperature (FE RL) rhombohedral phases in a Nb-doped Pb(Zr 0.95Ti 0.05)O 3 ceramic was investigated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both bright field images and electron diffraction patterns were monitored as a function of temperature as well as dc electric field. A special TEM specimen holder that permits the application of electric voltage up to 600 V was employed for the study of electric field-induced phase transition. It was found that both [1/2](011) c- and [1/2](111)c-type superlattice diffraction spots were present at room temperature when the specimen was under no electric field. The [1/2](111) c-type superlattice spots were observed to disappear during heating above the phase transition temperature. When dc electric fields were applied at room temperature, the [1/2](111) c-type superlattice spots vanished as the electric field-induced FE RL → FE RH phase transition occurred. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, inc.