Microstructural evolution in NaNbO{sub 3}-based antiferroelectrics

Abstract

Our recent study found that CaZrO{sub 3} doping can effectively enhance the antiferroelectric P phase in NaNbO{sub 3} ceramics, leading to a double polarization hysteresis loop characteristic of a reversible antiferroelectric ↔ ferroelectric phase transition [Shimizu et al., Dalton Trans. 44, 10763 (2015)]. Here, a thorough transmission electron microscope study was performed to illustrate the CaZrO{sub 3} doping-assisted antiferroelectricity stabilization. In parallel to the bright-field imaging and selected area electron diffraction from multiple zone axes, detailed dark-field imaging was utilized to determine the superlattice structural origins, from either oxygen octahedral tilting or antiparallel cation displacements. By analogy with Pb(Zr{sub 1−x}Ti{sub x})O{sub 3} and rare-earth doped BiFeO{sub 3} systems, the chemical substitutions are such as to an induced polar-to-antipolar transition that is consistent with a tolerance factor reduction. The resultant chemical pressure has a similar effect to the compressive hydrostatic pressure where the antiferroelectric state is favored over the ferroelectric state.