In situ transmission electron microscopy study on Nb-doped Pb(Zr 0.95 Ti 0.05)O3 ceramics

The ferroelectric-to-ferroelectric phase transition between the high temperature (FE(RH)) and the low temperature (FE(RL)) rhombohedral phases in a Nb-doped Pb(Zr(0.95)Ti(0.05))O(3) ceramic was investigated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both bright field images and electron diffraction patterns were monitored as a function of temperature as well as dc electric field. A special TEM specimen holder that permits the application of electric voltage up to 600 V was employed for the study of electric field-induced phase transition. It was found that both [1/2](011)(c)- and [1/2](111)(c)-type superlattice diffraction spots were present at room temperature when the specimen was under no electric field. The [1/2](111)(c)-type superlattice spots were observed to disappear during heating above the phase transition temperature. When dc electric fields were applied at room temperature, the [1/2](111)(c)-type superlattice spots vanished as the electric field-induced FE(RL) --> FE(RH) phase transition occurred.