Multiple dielectric anomalies in xBiLaO3–(1 − x)PbTiO3 piezoelectrics

Abstract

Compositions of xBiLaO3–(1 − x) PbTiO3 over the range 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.225 were calcined and sintered. The dielectric constant with temperature and differential scanning calorimetry measurements were in excellent agreement with respect to Curie-like tetragonal to cubic transformations starting at 495 °C for pure PbTiO3, shifting to lower temperatures with increasing x. For compositions of x ≥ 0.05, a second higher-temperature (∼600 °C) endotherm, and matching dielectric anomaly, were consistently observed, for which there were no structural changes indicated by hot-stage x-ray diffraction. This transformation was speculated to be based on a thermally induced desegregation of B-site cations.