PYROELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF LEAD ZIRCONATE TITANATE BASED CERAMICS WITH A RHOMBOHEDRAL FERROELECTRIC PHASE-TRANSITION

The lead zirconate rich lead zirconate titanate based ceramics present high pyroelectric coefficient as well as low dielectric constant in their rhombohedral ferroelectric phase transitions, and therefore possess many desirable properties for potential applications in pyroelectric devices. The dielectric, pyroelectric properties and rhombohedral ferroelectric phase transition characteristics of the lead zirconate titanate-lead zinc niobate-lead manganate niobate solid solution ceramics were studied from an applicational point of view. It is found that this solid solution ceramics possess large pyroelectric figures of merit at the rhombohedral ferroelectric phase transition. The largest value obtained is 0.069 nCcm/J (10 Hz) at room temperature. By adjusting the compositions, little temperature dependence of pyroelectric figures of merit has been observed, even though the rhombohedral ferroelectric phase transition existed.