Physical Effects in the Vicinity of the Ferroelectric–Antiferroelectric Interface

Abstract

Physical effects caused by the presence of interfaces between the domains of coexisting ferroelectric and antiferroelectric phases in solid solutions with small difference in free energies of the ferroelectric and antiferroelectric states are discussed in this review. There exist a number of solid solutions in which the two-phase state of domains of the coexisting phases may occur under certain conditions. We present here results of investigations of some effects directly caused by the presence of the interfaces between the domains of the coexisting ferroelectric and antiferroelectric phases. The phenomenological model describing the inhomogeneous state of coexisting domains of the ferroelectric and antiferroelectric phases is presented. Experimental studies of such inhomogeneous state are discussed using two systems of the PbZr1-yTiyO3-based solid solutions. Detailed discussion of the process of local decomposition of solid solutions in the vicinity of ferroelectric-antiferroelectric interphase boundaries and formation of the mesoscopic system of segregates in the vicinity of these interphase boundaries and corresponding experimental results are presented. Results on influence of the system of segregates on dielectric and piezoelectric properties, and also on a dielectric relaxation are presented and discussed. The effects caused by the application of a DC electric field are considered and corresponding experimental results are presented. The experimental results demonstrating the possibility of control of piezoelectric parameters by an external electric field in materials with the antiferroelectric to ferroelectric phase transition via the intermediate state of the coexisting domains of these phases are given.