PLZT type ceramics as a material for applications in power pulse capacitors

This paper presents the results of investigations of the ceramic samples of perovskite type solid solution (Pb_1-xLa_x) (Zr_1-yTi_y)O₃ (PLZT - with x = 0.02, 0.03, 0.06 and 0.10, y = 0,9). Ceramic samples have been obtained from oxides using classical ceramic technology. The investigations results of microstructure, XRD, dielectric permittivity, P-E hysteresis loops and pulse discharge current-time measurements are presented in this work. The main aim of this paper is to compare the energy storage densities calculated from the P-E loops (at frequency of 1Hz) obtained as a result of integrating the area enclosed by E-P curve for tree types of ceramics - ferroelectric (PLZT with x = 0.02), slim-loop antiferroelectric (PLZT with x = 0.6, 0.10) and normal antiferroelectric with double loops (PLZT with x = 0.03). The results obtained in such a way have been compared with the energy storage densities obtained from capacitor discharge currents measurements. It has been stated that these compositions based on PLZT ceramics are the prospective materials for pulse power capacitors since they exhibit rather high values of electric breakdown field and relatively high values of dielectric permittivity.