Open AccessStability of ferroic phases in the highly piezoelectric Pb(Zr x Ti 1−x )O 3 ceramics
Author(s) -
Pandey Dhananjai,
Singh Akhilesh Kumar,
Baik Sunggi
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
acta crystallographica section a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1600-5724
pISSN - 0108-7673
DOI - 10.1107/s0108767307055511
Subject(s) - monoclinic crystal system , tetragonal crystal system , materials science , phase boundary , phase diagram , neutron diffraction , ceramic , piezoelectricity , ferroelectricity , phase (matter) , space group , crystallography , diffraction , crystal structure , condensed matter physics , x ray crystallography , composite material , optics , physics , chemistry , dielectric , optoelectronics , quantum mechanics
The morphotropic phase boundary in the phase diagram of the technologically important Pb(Zr x Ti 1− x )O 3 (PZT) ceramics has been traditionally believed to separate ferroelectric tetragonal and rhombohedral phase regions. This old picture has come under close scrutiny during the last eight years following the discovery of new monoclinic phases in the Cm and Cc space groups. This article presents a brief overview of these discoveries in which the use of multiple diffraction probes (X‐ray, electron, neutron diffraction) in conjunction with physical property measurements has played a crucial role. A new phase diagram of PZT showing the stability fields of these structures below room temperature is also presented.