Ferroelectric and pyroelectric properties of Ce3+ modified tetragonal tungsten bronze structured lead barium niobate-55 ceramics

In this work, Lead Barium Niobate-55 tetragonal tungsten bronze structured ceramics modified with Ce3+ with the stoichiometric formula Pb0.55-(3y/2)CeyBa0.45Nb2O6, where y=0-10 mol% Ce3+, were fabricated through the solid state reaction method and investigated for ferroelectric and pyroelectric properties. Pb0.55-(3y/2)CeyBa0.45Nb2O6 (PBN55) exhibited tetragonal (4mm) tungsten bronze structure. The ferroelectric properties (spontaneous polarization, P-s, remanent polarization. P-r and coercive field. E-c), as a function of Ce3+ concentration, have been reported. The influence of Ce3+ on pyroelectric properties of the PBN55 system has been evaluated. The pyroelectric properties were characterized and discussed as a function of Ce3+. The 6 mol% Ce3+ modified tetragonal PBN55 composition exhibited optimum pyroelectric properties in the series which could be suitable for possible pyroelectric applications. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.