Journal of Crystal Growth, Vol.253, No.1-4, 274-279, 2003
Flux Bridgman growth of Pb[(Zn1/3Nb2/3)(0.93)Ti-0.07]O-3 piezocrystals
Relaxor ferroelectric single crystals Pb[(Zn1/3Nb2/3)(0.93)Ti-0.07]O-3 (PZNT93/7) have been grown by the modified Bridgman method using 50mol% PbO as a flux. A gas cooling system was assembled at the bottom of the platinum crucible to induce single nucleation as well as form a large temperature gradient in the furnace. The oxygen gas flow was controlled at a rate of 1.61/min and the lowering rate of the crucible was less than 0.5 mm/h. PZNT93/7 crystal up to 33 turn in diameter and 28 mm. in length was obtained. The double-crystal X-ray rocking curve was measured and the FWHM value is about 505 arcsec. The dielectric constants and dielectric loss were measured at frequencies of 100 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz and 100 kHz. The Curie temperature of as-grown PZNT crystal was 179degreesC. The transition temperature of rhombohedral-tegragonal phase was about 120degreesC, which was 40degreesC higher than that of PZNT91/9 crystals. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords:flux Bridgman method;single crystal growth;perovskites;piezoelectric materials;relaxor ferroelectrics