High pyroelectric response in Pb_0.99Nb_0.02[(Zr_0.57Sn_0.43)_1−xTi_x]_0.98O₃ ceramics

Abstract Both high pyroelectric coefficient and figure of merits of ferroelectric materials are desirable for infrared detection. In this work, we prepared Pb 0.99 Nb 0.02 [(Zr 0.57 Sn 0.43 ) 1− x Ti x ] 0.98 O 3 (0.060 ≤ x ≤ 0.080) ceramics, and the microstructure and electric properties were studied systematically. It is observed that the composition x = 0.07 shows enhanced pyroelectric properties around ambient temperature due to the ferroelectric–antiferroelectric phase transition, with the pyroelectric coefficient p = 6.83 × 10 −4 C m −2 K −1 and the figures of merit F i = 5.04 × 10 −10 m V −1 , F v = 7.61 × 10 −2 m 2 C −1 , and F d = 3.46 × 10 −5 Pa −1/2 at room temperature and the highest pyroelectric coefficient of 695.5 × 10 −4 C m −2 K −1 and F i = 1410.46 × 10 −10 m V −1 , F v = 1587.39 × 10 −2 m 2 C −1 , and F d = 1182.94 × 10 −5 Pa −1/2 at 36.7°C. These values are superior to other pyroelectric materials. These results indicate that this system is a promising pyroelectric material for the applications of infrared detectors.