Domain boundary pinning and nucleation of ferroelectric (Pb1-xSrx)TiO3 ceramics

Domain boundary pinning and nucleation characteristics of ferroelectric (Pb1-xSrx)TiO3 ceramics under polarization switching have been studied in the present work. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to investigate domain boundary nucleation and interactions as the polarization switching proceeds. Results imply that domain boundary density increases as the electric field reverses repeatedly. Internal stress field in grains accumulates during domain intersecting with one another, and some straight 90degrees domain boundaries dissociate into zigzag-shaped boundaries which may grow and extend to intersect with an adjacent boundary. Complicated microstructural arrangements as well as defects were produced gradually after repeated domain nucleation and intersection. Therefore domain boundary mobility was retarded and the specimens showed fatigue phenomenon. Domain boundary interactions as well as the induced domain formation behavior are classified and discussed.