Physical properties and phase transitions in perovskite Pb[Zr1−x(Ni1/3Nb2/3)x]O3(0.0 ⩽x⩽ 0.5) ceramics

A solid solution of lead zirconate–lead nickel niobate ceramics, Pb[Zr 1− x (Ni 1/3 Nb 2/3 ) x ]O 3 (PZNN) with x = 0.0–0.5, was synthesized via the columbite precursor method. The crystal structures as well as the thermal and dielectric properties were investigated in terms of the lead nickel niobate (PNN) concentration. X-ray diffraction indicated that all samples exhibited a single-phase perovskite structure. At room temperature, Pb[Zr 1− x (Ni 1/3 Nb 2/3 ) x ]O 3 is orthorhombic for a composition where x = 0, rhombohedral for the compositions where x = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 and pseudo-cubic for compositions where x = 0.4 and 0.5. The results of the addition of lead nickel niobate to the lead zirconate ceramic showed enhancement of the room-temperature dielectric permittivity. Lead nickel niobate substitution also led to lower transition temperatures. Furthermore, this transition from normal to relaxor FE ceramics was typified by a quasi-linear relationship between the diffuseness parameter δ γ and the PNN mole fraction x .