Dielectric properties of Zn- and/or Nb-substituted Pb[(Mg1/3Ta2/3),Ti]O3 ceramics

Ceramic powders of Pb[(Mg_1/3Ta_2/3),Ti]O₃, with the octahedral components substituted separately as well as simultaneously by Zn and Nb, were synthesized by a two-step B-site precursor method. Prepared powders were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to monitor the phase developments and also to determine the crystallographic aspects. The weak-field low-frequency dielectric constant and loss values of the sintered specimens were determined. Temperature-dependent dielectric constant values were further analyzed in terms of diffuseness/sharpness in the phase transition modes. The internal microstructures of the ceramics were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).