Deciphering the peculiar hysteresis loops of 0.05Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)O3–0.95Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 piezoelectric ceramics

The majority of piezoelectric ceramics based on Pb(Zr, Ti)O3 (PZT) exhibit hysteretic behavior, which varies depending on various factors, including composition, microstructure and processing conditions. The ternary system 0.05Pb(Mn1/3Sb2/3)O3–0.95Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3 (5PMS-PZT) has shown attractive piezoelectric properties with superior thermal stability compared to pure Pb(Zr0.52Ti0.48)O3, but the underlying mechanisms of its complex hysteretic behavior have not been fully clarified yet. This work further delves into the hysteretic aspects of 5PMS-PZT ceramics and describes hysteresis features that have not been yet reported for any known piezoelectric system. Four current peaks in I-E loops and S-E loops with unconventional shapes, which have a significant dependence on applied field amplitude, frequency and electrical history have been observed here. This peculiar hysteretic behavior is influenced by convoluted effects of domain switching, electric field-induced structural transitions, point defects and aging/de-aging processes, whose combinations lead to unique hysteresis features.