In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy Study on Nb-Doped Pb(Zr0.95Ti0.05)O3 Ceramics

The ferroelectric-to-ferroelectric phase transition between the high temperature (FERH) and the low temperature (FERL) rhombohedral phases in a Nb-doped Pb(Zr0.95Ti0.05)O-3 ceramic was investigated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both bright field images and electron diffraction patterns were monitored as a function of temperature as well as dc electric field. A special TEM specimen holder that permits the application of electric voltage up to 600 V was employed for the study of electric field-induced phase transition. It was found that both [1/2](011)(c)- and [1/2](111)(c)-type superlattice diffraction spots were present at room temperature when the specimen was under no electric field. The [1/2](111)(c)-type superlattice spots were observed to disappear during heating above the phase transition temperature. When dc electric fields were applied at room temperature, the [1/2](111)(c)-type superlattice spots vanished as the electric field-induced FERL -> FERH phase transition occurred. Microsc. Res. Tech. 72:216-222, 2009. (C) 2009 Wil y-Liss, Inc.