Structure and properties of (1 − x)Pb(Mg1/2W1/2)O3 − xPb(Zr0.5Ti0.5)O3 solid solution ceramics

The widely used piezoelectric Pb(Zr1−xTix)O3 ceramics have been known to have Zr4+ and Ti4+ randomly distributed on the B-site lattice in the ABO3 perovskite structure. In this study, we attempted to develop long range 1:1 B-site cation order by forming the solid solution of (1 − x)Pb(Mg1/2W1/2)O3 − xPb(Zr0.5Ti0.5)O3 (x ≥ 0.60). High temperature X-ray diffraction tests indicate that the cation order is embedded in the structural order. The solid solution ceramics appear to have a non-cubic paraelectric phase above their Curie temperatures. The competition between the antiferroelectric order in Pb(Mg1/2W1/2)O3 and the ferroelectric order in Pb(Zr0.5Ti0.5)O3 leads to the relaxor ferroelectric behavior in the solid solution. Since the temperature at dielectric maximum, Tm, is significantly above room temperature, regular polarization versus electric field hysteresis loops are recorded in these compositions at room temperature. In addition, these ceramics show very good piezoelectric properties.