Antiferroelectric–ferroelectric phase boundary enhances polarization extension in rhombohedral Pb(Zr,Ti)O3

The main mechanism of properties enhancement in the morphotropic phase boundary region separating tetragonal and rhombohedral phases of Pb(Zr1-xTix)O-3 (PZT) is related to polarization rotation. It is shown here that in proximity of the morphotropic phase boundary separating antiferroelectric and rhombohedral phases (near x = 0.1) and at elevated temperatures the properties are dominated by polarization extension. These results may provide a guideline for developing alternative piezoelectric materials to PZT. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3666233]