Deciphering the peculiar hysteresis loops of 0.05Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)O3-0.95Pb (Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 piezoelectric ceramics

The majority of piezoelectric ceramics based on Pb(Zr, Ti)O-3 (PZT) exhibit hysteretic behavior, which varies depending on various factors, including composition, microstructure and processing conditions. The ternary system 0.05Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)O-3-0.95Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O-3 (5PMS-PZT) has shown attractive piezoelectric properties with superior thermal stability compared to pure Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O-3, but the underlying mechanisms of its complex hysteretic behavior have not been fully clarified yet. This work further delves into the hysteretic aspects of 5PMS-PZT ceramics and describes hysteresis features that have not been yet reported for any known piezoelectric system. Four current peaks in I-E loops and S-E loops with unconventional shapes, which have a significant dependence on applied field amplitude, frequency and electrical history have been observed here. This peculiar hysteretic behavior is influenced by convoluted effects of domain switching, electric field-induced structural transitions, point defects and aging/de-aging processes, whose combinations lead to unique hysteresis features.