Investigation of hydrogen effects on the properties of Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 in tetragonal phase using water electrolysis technique

In this work, the interaction of hydrogen with Pb(Zr,Ti)O-3 (PZT) in the tetragonal phase is investigated using water electrolysis technique. Microstructural observations show the development of a hydrogen affected (corroded) layer adjacent to the electrode functioning as the cathode during the water electrolysis. A composite model is proposed for the microstructure of PZT affected by hydrogen generated during water electrolysis and changes of the electrical properties of PZT are linked to the model. Maxwell-Wagner polarization mechanism is proposed to be responsible for the changes of the hydrogen-affected PZT capacitance. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3665044]