Characterization of high TC Pb(Mg1∕3Nb2∕3)O3–PbZrO3–PbTiO3 single crystals fabricated by solid state crystal growth

Abstract

Ferroelectric crystals near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) in the Pb(Mg1∕3Nb2∕3)O3–PbZrO3–PbTiO3 ternary system were grown using the solid state crystal growth technique. A MPB composition with a Curie temperature of ∼205°C was selected for characterization of the piezoelectric properties and temperature dependent behavior. The room temperature electromechanical coupling factors were found to be ⩾90% for k33 and ∼−87% for k32, respectively, comparable to Pb(Mg1∕3Nb2∕3)O3–PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) crystals. The coercive field, being on the order of 5kV∕cm, was found to be nearly double that of the pure PMN-PT. The temperature dependence of the piezoelectric and electromechanical properties showed temperature stability up to 160°C, expanding the temperature usage range for actuator and ultrasonic transducer applications.