Investigation of Multiferroic Properties of (PbZr_0.53Ti_0.47 O₃)_(1-x)-(PbFe_0.5Ta_0.5O₃)_x Ceramics

Abstract

(PbZr_0.53Ti_0.47O₃)_(1-x)-(PbFe_0.5Ta_0.5O₃)_x, (PZTFT, x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 1) ceramics were prepared by conventional solid state reaction route. X-ray diffraction patterns and Raman spectra revealed the formation of single phase tetragonal crystal structure at ambient temperature. With increase of Pb(Fe_0.5Ta_0.5)O₃ (PFT) composition in PZTFT matrix significant enhancement in the grain size was observed where average grain sizes were in the range of 1–15 μm. Naturally designed PZTFT composites show higher dielectric constant than Pb(Zr_0.53Ti_0.47)O₃ (PZT) but less than PFT. The ferroelectric (FE) to paraelectric (PE) phase transition temperature i.e. Curie temperature (T_c) shifted towards lower temperature side with increase in iron and tantalum compositions. Both polarization and magnetic moment were observed at room temperature in all PZTFT (x ≥ 0.2) composites suggesting multiferroic characteristic in these systems. Significant improvement of the ferroic properties were observed with increase of PFT concentration.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by DOE-DE-FG02-08ER46526 grant. One of us (Dilsom Sanchez) was supported by an AGEP-EPSCOR Fellowship.