In situ monitoring of the effects of hydrogen on Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 structure

Structural modifications of the lead zirconate titanate [Pb(Zr,Ti)O3] or PZT, subjected to hydrogen, are investigated using online monitoring of the electrical properties of PZT. The changes in PZT properties (dielectric constant and resistance) can be described using well known nucleation and growth equations. It is therefore hypothesized that a new structure forms in PZT upon exposure to hydrogen. Protons are expected to be constituents of this new structure, and the changes of the electrical properties can be attributed to their presence. The growth of the new structure appears to be limited by the diffusion of protons into PZT, and the activation energy for the diffusion of protons is calculated at about 0.442 ± 0.1 eV.