Effects of thermal treatment on the electrical properties in relaxor PLZT ceramics

Abstract

The effects of thermal treatment on the electrical properties in PLZT 9.5:65:35 ceramics have been studied. It was shown that the ferroelectric properties may be modified by a quenching treatment. The consequences of quenching are an increase in dielectric constant, Curie temperature, remanent polar ization, and charging and discharging currents. It is suggested that the microstructure of the relaxor PLZT ceramic of the composition 9.5:65:35 consists of a ferroelectric microdomains dispersed in the non polar matrix. Some non polar layers between polar region may become conducting by applying an electric field after quenching, and are possibly responsible for enhanced ferroelectric characteristics.