Effect of grain size on the nonlinear dielectric properties of PLZT ceramics

Dielectric nonlinear behavior was investigated for 153/47 PLZT ceramics with different grain sizes. Different grain sizes were achieved by employing various sintering conditions. By measuring the dielectric constant as a function of ac electric field at various temperatures and frequencies. it was found that the dielectric nonlinearity was affected by grain size, i.e., the samples having larger grains showed a higher degree of dielectric nonlinearity. In addition, the dielectric nonlinearity was found to be influenced substantially by the frequency of applied field and sample temperature. Based on analysis of X-ray diffraction peak intensity ratio of (002) to (200) planes, the experimental results were discussed in terms of the contribution of 90 degrees domain wall motion.