Structural and electrical properties of Sm3+ substituted PZT ceramics

Samarium modified lead zirconate titanate (PSZT: Pb1-xSmx(Zr0.65Ti0.35)O-3: x=0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06) ceramics were synthesized by solid state ceramic route. XRD shows single-phase formation with rhombohedral structure up to x=0.04. With Sm-substitution, the grain size first increases up to x=0.02 and then decreases. A metal/ferroelectric/metal (MFM) structure was made by depositing gold electrode on the flat surfaces for electrical measurements. All samples show normal ferroelectric behaviour. however, it squareness of P-E loop (polarization vs. electric field) was observed to increase with Sm content. Higher electromechanical coupling coefficients (K-p and K-t) have been achieved for the PZT with 6 mol % Sm Substitution and having fine grain size. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.