Enhanced Ferroelectric Properties of Intragranular-Porous Pb(Zr^sub 0.95^Ti^sub 0.05^)O^sub 3^ Ceramic Fabricated with Carbon Nanotubes

The intragranular-porous ferroelectric ceramic was fabricated for the first time with carbon nanotubes as pore formers and the effects of intragranular pores on the ferroelectric and dielectric properties were investigated. It was found that compared with dense ceramic the introduction of a small amount of intragranular pores led to an enhanced remnant polarization, an improved bulk resistivity, higher dielectric breakdown strength, a lower dielectric constant, and thus an enhanced energy storage density by 20%. Plus, a shift of the Curie temperature of ceramics was found in intragranular-porous ferroelectric ceramic and possible reasons for these effects were interpreted. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]