Remarkable Strontium B-Site Occupancy in Ferroelectric Pb(Zr^sub 1-x^Ti^sub x^ )O^sub 3^ Solid Solutions Doped With Cryolite-Type Strontium Niobate

New high-performance ferroelectric solid solutions based on Pb(Zr...Ti...)O... (PZT), which are doped with cryolite-type strontium niobate (SNO, Sr...(Sr...Nb...)O...V... with 0≤y≤1) and hence denoted PZT:SNO, and their microscopic structure and defect chemistry are described. Extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) analyses of PZT:SNO samples revealed that ~10% of Sr... occupy the nominal B-sites of the perovskite-type PZT host lattice. This result is supported by EXAFS analyses of both a canonical SrTiO... perovskite and two SNO model and reference compounds. Fit models that do not account for Sr... on B-sites are ruled out. A clear Sr-Pb peak in Fourier-transformed EXAFS data visually confirms this structural model. The generation of temporary oxygen vacancies and the intricate defect chemistry induced by SNO-doping of PZT are crucial for the exceptional material properties of PZT:SNO. As a result, ferroelectric PZT:SNO solid solutions are very attractive for use in new and innovative piezoelectric actuator and transducer applications. (ProQuest: ... denotes formulae/symbols omitted.)