Effects of grain size on the electrical properties of PLZT ceramics

Abstract

A group of transparent hot-pressed ferroelectric (Pb_0.92La_0.08)(Zr_0.65Ti_0.35)₀₉₈O₃ ceramics with controlled grain size from 1 to 14 μm and with few pores, less than 0.2% at most, were prepared from the oxide powders by applying a hot-pressing procedure including atmosphere control. The electrical and optical constants of these ceramics were determined as a function of grain size. The effect of grain size on each measured constant, χ, was expressed by a simple equation, χ = A + B/√G_S . Polarization-reversal properties were also measured and the switching time related with the space charge effects were discussed.