Probing local structure of ZnO-modified Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_0.9Ti_0.1O₃ ceramic with synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy technique

ABSTRACT

This work aims to study the effects of ZnO modifications on local structures of Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_0.9Ti_0.1O₃ (PMNT) ceramics. Different contents of ZnO (0, 0.4, 2.0, 4.0 and 11.0 mol%) were added into PMNT ceramics. The local structures of the samples were characterized by synchrotron X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra of both Zn and Ti K-edges were displayed. The Zn K-edge energy values of all samples were in the range of 9660–9666 eV. The Zn ions incorporated in all ceramics were in the form of Zn²⁺. The value of Ti K-edge energy, which was equal to 4979 eV, did not change with ZnO modifications. Comparing the experimental Zn K-edge XANES spectra to the spectra simulated via FTFF program confirmed the substitution of the Zn ions for B-site ions. The intensity and the area under curve of the pre-edge peak of Ti K-edge gradually increased with increasing ZnO content up to 4.0 mol%. This suggested a gradual change in the displacement out from octahedral centers of Ti ions. This could be an evidence of the enhancement in ferroelectric order of ZnO-modified PMNT ceramics.

KEYWORDS:

• PMNT
• Ti K-edge
• X-ray absorption
• ferroelectric order
• ZnO

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Faculty of Science Research Fund (Grant No. 259005). MP also would like to thank Synchrotron Light Research Institute (Public Organization), Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Additional information

Funding

Synchrotron Light Research Institute; Faculty of Science Research Grant Fund [259005].