Compression mechanisms of ferroelectric PbTiO3 via high pressure neutron scattering

J. Frantti, Y. Fujioka, J. J. Molaison, R. Boehler, B. Haberl, C. A. Tulk, A. M. Dos Santos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Switchable atomic displacements generate electric dipole moments in ferroelectric materials utilized in many contemporary devices. Lead titanate, a perovskite oxide with formula PbTiO3, has been referred to as a textbook example of a prototype displacive ferroelectric and is a testing platform of widely used models of piezoelectric response of complex solid-solutions. PbTiO3 has been addressed by experimental and computational studies, often with apparently conflicting conclusions. To date, hydrostatic pressure experiments have been interpreted in terms of a model in which the dipole moments gradually diminish with increasing pressure until a transition to a cubic phase, characterized by a zero average dipole moment, occurs. The model unrealistically assumes an even compression of the crystal. Here we show by high-pressure neutron powder diffraction measurements that a fast and slow shrinkage of 12-oxygen cages around Pb and octahedra around Ti, respectively, takes place. A phase diagram consolidating earlier and present results is given.

Original languageEnglish
Article number435702
JournalJournal of Physics Condensed Matter
Volume30
Issue number43
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 9 2018

Keywords

  • compression
  • lead-titanate
  • piezoelectric
  • pressure

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