Microstructural studies of $(PbLa)(ZrTi)O3$ ceramics using complex impedance spectroscopy Available to Purchase

Lanthanum modified lead zirconate titanate (⁠$PLZT:8∕60∕40$⁠) ceramics prepared by a sol-gel route showed a well-defined microstructure comprising of grains separated by boundaries. Complex impedance spectroscopy has provided a convincing evidence for the existence of both grain (bulk) and grain-boundary effects that were separated in the frequency domain in impedance spectrum. The impedance analysis further provided the value of relaxation frequency, which was a characteristic intrinsic property of the material and was independent of sample geometrical factors. Relaxation frequency calculated at different temperatures was used to evaluate bulk dielectric constant $(εb)$⁠, which was compared with the real part of the dielectric constant $(ε′)$⁠. The temperature variation of the bulk electrical conductivity $(σdc)$ indicated an evidence of Arrhenius-type thermally activated process showing a linear variation up to a temperature of $713°K$ and was predominantly governed by grain boundary conduction showing a plateau region beyond $713°K$⁠.