Abstract

Mechanical strain gradient generated electric polarization or flexoelectric effect was investigated in unpoled lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics in the ferroelectric state by using a cantilevered beam based approach. Flexoelectric coefficient μ12 at room temperature was measured to be 1.4μC∕m in the PZT ceramic at small level of strain gradient. Temperature-dependent experimental investigations clearly showed that high dielectric permittivity in the ferroelectrics enhanced flexoelectric polarization: essentially a linear relation was found to exist between μ12 and dielectric susceptibility χ at lower permittivity level (2100–2800), while μ12 versus χ curve started to deviate from the straight line at the χ∼2800 and nonlinear enhancement of μ12 with χ was observed, with μ12 value reaching 9.5 at χ∼11000. The nonlinearity in the flexoelectric effect was associated with domain-related processes. It is suggested that flexoelectric effect can have a significant impact on epitaxial ferroelectric thin films and mesoscopic structures.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.