The effects of La on the dielectric properties of lead iron tungstate Pb(Fe2/3W1/3)O3 relaxor ceramics

La doped samples were used to study the effects of this dopant on the structural and dielectric properties of Pb(Fe2/3W1/3)O3 (PFW) relaxor ceramics. La doping leads to a decrease in the lattice constant of the cubic PFW perovskite and to the precipitation of increasing amounts of a second phase, PbWO4. A decrease of dielectric permittivity maximum, εrmax, a shift of transition temperature, T0, to lower temperatures, and an increase of diffuseness, δ, are also observed. Undoped and La doped PFW show a p-type conduction. The resistivity vs La content shows a “V-like” curve. The aging behavior of the samples are also altered by the presence of the dopant. The aging decreases with increasing the La content up to 5 at% and increases after that. Charge compensation and defect associations in the La doped samples are discussed and suggested to explain the electrical properties and the aging behavior.