Domain switching in rhombohedral PZT ceramics under electrical and mechanical loading

Ferroelectric domain switching in rhombohedral lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramics has been studied using high energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The diffraction data for a range of different grain orientations were obtained rapidly, with a data acquisition time of 20 s, using a Frelon CCD camera. Changes in the lattice strain and ferroelectric domain fractions under an applied electric field or compressive stress were determined by measuring the positions and relative intensities of the diffraction peaks. It was observed that domain switching under an electric field occurred over a narrow range of field strength, whereas that due to a compressive stress occurred more gradually, over a wider range of applied stress. This effect is due to a combination of factors, including the influence of residual stress, the presence of the electrical depolarisation field, and the nature of the electric field and stress tensors. It was confirmed that the work required for domain switching is the same under electrical or mechanical loading, and approximately equal to 0.34 MJ m(-3).