Influence of external electric field on relaxor behaviour of (Pb0.75Ba0.25)(Zr0.70Ti0.30)O3 ceramics

The effects of the external d.c. and a.c. electric field on the dielectric response and relaxor behaviour of lead–barium–zirconate–titanate (PBZT) ceramics of the composition Ba/Zr/Ti 25/70/30 have been studied. The significant influence of the strength of the d.c. bias field and the amplitude of the a.c. field on the dielectric constant maximum and frequency dispersion was determined. The magnitude of the dielectric response strongly decreases under the bias field and increases with the increase of the a.c. field amplitude. All parameters describing the relaxor behaviour of the studied ceramics changed under the external d.c. and a.c. electric field. The experimental results can be explained in terms of existing models of relaxors.