Understanding nanoscale structural distortions in Pb(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3 by utilizing X-ray nanodiffraction and clustering algorithm analysis

Hard X-ray nanodiffraction provides a unique nondestructive technique to quantify local strain and structural inhomogeneities at nanometer length scales. However, sample mosaicity phase separation can result in complex diffraction pattern that make it challenging nanoscale distortions. In this work, k -means clustering algorithm was utilized identify maxima of intensity by partitioning data three-dimensional feature space detector coordinates intensity. This has been applied measurements patterned ferroelectric PbZr 0.2 Ti 0.8 O 3 sample. The analysis reveals the presence two phases with different lattice parameters. A highly heterogeneous distribution parameters variation 0.02 Å also observed within one domain. approach survey subtle distortions as well domains