TfI15: Domain orientation change induced by ferroelectric fatigue process in lead zirconate titanate ceramics

Domain orientation change induced by ferroelectric fatigue process is investigated in lead zirconate titanate type ceramics using X-ray diffraction. For hard lead zirconate titanate ceramics, a conversion of the domains, from the orientations perpendicular to the cycling field to the orientation parallel to it, is verified. For soft lead lanthanum zirconate titanate ceramics near the tetragonal-rhombohedral morphotropic phase boundary, a rhombohedral to tetragonal phase conversion and consequent stabilization of the tetragonal phase is revealed. The results can be well explained by the gradual buildup of a directional pinning force which impedes ferroelectric switching. The reorientation and migration of the defects and/or space charge induced by the cycling electric field are proposed to be responsible for the buildup of the directional pinning force.