Piezoelectric and functional properties of materials with coexisting ferroelectric and antiferroelectric phases

Abstract

A brief review of investigations of lead zirconate-titanate based solid solutions with coexisting ferroelectric and antiferroelectric types of dipole ordering is presented. Our goal is to demonstrate the importance of the inhomogeneous state of domain of these phases in formation of properties of these substances, in the search for new piezoelectric ceramic materials, as well as development of new functional materials. An analysis of physical phenomena and peculiarities of behavior of these materials caused by the presence of domains of the coexisting ferroelectric and antiferroelectric phases is presented. Several specific effects caused by this coexistence of phases which are important and significant for applications of these materials in devices are discussed.

Keywords

• piezoelectric
• ferroelectric
• antiferroelectric
• domains
• phase transitions
• interphase boundaries