Microstructural Investigation of Complex Doped PT-Type Ceramics

A series of microstructural experiments were performed to study complex doped PT-type ceramics from micrometer to nanometer scale. Grain size and shape, size and number of pores were determined from the scanning electron micrographs. Inside the grains of ferroelectric materials, domains are evidenced by transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution electron microscopy. Cluster locally rich in rare earth atoms with respect with the lead matrix are observed using the wavelength dispersive spectroscopy. A statistical analysis of the patterns such as sites, disposal and size of the grains in the bulk material might reveal interesting structural properties of the material and underlying physics.

Keywords:

• PT ceramic
• microstructure

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the financial support of the School of Electrical Engineering and Telecommunication, University of South Wales, Australia. A part of this work was conducted in the frame of the POLECER network and Romanian Grant 19/2003.