Abstract
The lattice total energy surface and the structural instabilities that characterize rhombohedral PbZrxTi1−xO3 in the morphotropic phase boundary region near x=0.5 are investigated using first principles density functional supercell calculations. As expected, we find a strong ferroelectric instability. However, we also find a substantial R-point rotational instability, close to but not as deep as the ferroelectric one. This is similar to the situation in pure PbZrO3. These two instabilities are both strongly pressure dependent, but in opposite directions so that lattice compression of less than 1% is sufficient to change their ordering. Because of this, local stress fields due to B-site cation disorder may lead to coexistence of both types of instability are likely present in the alloy near the morphotropic phase boundary.
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