Effect of excess PbO on the microstructures and electric field induced strain of Pb_0.97La_0.02(Zr_0.63Sn_0.26Ti_0.11)O₃ antiferroelectric ceramics

Microstructures and electrical properties of ( Pb _0.97 La _0.02)( Zr _0.63 Sn _0.26 Ti _0.11) O ₃ (PLZST) antiferroelectric (AFE) ceramics with different PbO content were investigated in this study. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that with the increase of PbO amount, the stability of AFE phase reduced due to the decrease of lead vacancies. Besides, it was observed that the sintering properties could be improved by adding a small amount of PbO . Further, the electric field induced polarization and strain first increased, and then decreased with increasing PbO addition and they showed good frequency stability at low frequency. The maximum strain of 0.65% was obtained in the specimens with 8 mol% PbO content at the frequency 1 Hz. Both a high strain level and relatively good frequency stability in this composition can make a potential candidate for actuators applications over a wide-frequency working range.