Regular Article

Structural, thermal and dielectric properties of Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_1‑x Ti_xO₃ ceramics at morphotropic phase boundary^★

¹ Institute of Physics, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Grudziądzka 5, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
² Laboratory of Engineering Sciences for Energy, National School of Applied Sciences of El Jadida, BP 1166 El Jadida, Morocco
³ National School of Applied Sciences of Safi, Cadi Ayyad University, Safi, Morocco
⁴ Laboratory of Applied Chemistry of Materials, University of Mohammed V in Rabat, Faculty of Sciences, BP 1014 Rabat, Morocco

^* e-mail: amine.alaoui.belghiti@gmail.com

Received: 4 June 2020
Received in final form: 7 July 2020
Accepted: 24 August 2020
Published online: 14 October 2020

Abstract

Ceramics arising from Pb(Mg_1/3Nb_2/3)_1‑x TixO₃ with composition near the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) were prepared by the modified solid-state reaction method. The synthesized ceramics were characterized, and then the operating principles of pyroelectric and piezoelectric harvesters are reviewed. In addition, the dielectric behavior is measured to determine the dielectric constant and losses at different temperatures and frequencies. The typical behavior of a ferroelectric relaxer was observed by adding the PbTiO₃ phase. The thermal properties are also analyzed by PPE calorimetry, presaging a one-dimensional heat-flow process. As a result, the dielectric and thermal behaviors of the as-prepared ceramics as well as their thermal stability are intimately linked to the PbTiO₃ addition to PbMg_l/3Nb_2/3O₃ phase. These materials exhibit good physical performances, which makes them promising candidates for pyroelectric micro-generators (PEG), cooling systems and infrared applications.