Position of defects with respect to domain walls in Fe3+-doped Pb[Zr0.52Ti0.48]O3 piezoelectric ceramics

The position of (FeZr,Ti′−VO••)• defect complexes in Pb[Zr0.52Ti0.48]O3 (PZT) piezoelectric ceramics was investigated by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The method of analysis pursued to obtain information on the (FeZr,Ti′−VO••)• position is to compare the EPR spectra of Fe3+-doped PZT specimen at different states, i.e., a powder that is representative for a system with considerably reduced amount of non-180° domain walls and a sintered ceramic of identical composition but with markedly developed domain structure. By considering the local site symmetry for the Fe3+-functional center, indirect evidence is obtained that the (FeZr,Ti′−VO••)• defect complexes are located within domains and not at domain walls.