Hydrogen-induced semiconductor transformation of lead zirconate titanate ferroelectric ceramics

Semiconductor transformation of lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-5H ferroelectric ceramics induced by hydrogen has been investigated. The results showed that hydrogen caused the PZT-5H ferroelectric ceramics to transform from a yellow insulator into a black n-type semiconductor, and the leakage current and carrier concentration increased but the resistivity decreased with increasing hydrogen concentration. During charging in H-2 at a temperature higher than the Curie point, hydrogen would restrain the PZT-5H ferroelectric ceramics to transform from cubic into tetragonal phase, resulting in the disappearance of ferroelectricity at room temperature. Charging at a temperature below the Curie point, however, did not change the crystal structure of the tetragonal ferroelectric ceramics. The properties and color of PZT-5H ferroelectric ceramics were restored after outgassing at a high temperature.