Ferroelastic domain hierarchy in the intermediate state of PbZr0.98Ti0.02O3 single crystal

Abstract

PbZrO3-based antiferroelectric crystals are of great interest in both fundamental and applied research, not only because of the antiferroelectric feature at room temperature but also because of the existence of a peculiar intermediate state at elevated temperatures. Here, we report a detailed description of domain structure change at the temperature-induced antiferroelectric-to-ferroelectric phase transition. A complex process of different types of domains is revealed to appear at different stages of the phase transition. A hierarchical ferroelastic domain structure forms in the stabilized intermediate state, where the dense domain walls show potential impact on the physical properties of the crystal.