A- and B-compensated PLZT x/90/10: Sintering and microstructural analysis

Structure–property relationship has been performed in the lanthanum-modified lead–zirconate–titanate (PLZT) with a lanthanum content of 6 and 10 at.% and a Zr/Ti ratio of 90/10 as a function of A- and B-compensation model. The X-ray powder-diffraction analysis, electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, density measurements and sintering behavior have evidently demonstrated that it is possible to tailor the microstructural properties of PLZT with using selected type of the compensation. The densification of B-site compensated PLZT occurs at lower temperatures and leads to higher density when compared to A-site compensated PLZT. A presence of PbO at the grain boundaries in B-site compensated PLZT and the lack of it in A-site compensated PLZT leads to different sintering mechanism. The dielectric response characteristics of A- and B-site compensation model do not vary significantly.