Microstructure and ferroelectric properties under various temperatures of (1 – x)Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 -xCa3Co4O9 composite materials

Abstract

While controlling atomic positions in mixed phases in composite materials is difficult, electrical coupling of the different phase components is attractive. This research studied effects of misfit layered structure added into perovskite structure in order to investigate microstructure and ferroelectric properties of Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (PZT) and Ca3Co4O9 (CCO) composites. The composite materials of PZT-CCO showed a small proportion of monoclinic phase that was found to strongly influence the PZT phase. The microstructure exhibited heterogeneity of PZT and CCO. FE-SEM showed that grain size decreased with increasing CCO content. Co atoms migrated towards center of curved grain boundaries. The charge carriers of CCO affected domain wall movements in the PZT under high temperature. Dielectric maximum temperature alternated due to the affected charge mechanism in the CCO. Polarization-electric field loops revealed that saturated polarization and domain switching decreased with increasing CCO content and temperatures. Capacitive and resistive behaviors as well as remanent polarization were increased with increasing CCO content at high temperatures. Electric field was accounted for current density causing leakage current. It is expected that the PZT-CCO composite materials developed will have electrical performance suitable for some electronic devices.