Super-Lattice Structure and Phase Evolution of Pb(Lu0.5Nb0.5)O3-PbTiO3 Single Crystal with Low PbTiO3

The phase diagram of the Pb(Lu0.5Nb0.5)O3-PbTiO3 (PLN-PT) binary system was previously reported based on XRD and dielectric measurements results. Unusually, the Curie temperature of PLN-PT with low PT obtained from the phase diagram is much lower than that of PLN and PT end members, which is different from others, such as PZT. Therefore, the complex structure of PLN-PT with low PT is desired to be studied. In this work, PLN-PT single crystals with low PT were grown for the study of their super-lattice structure and phase evolution. The super-lattice reflections were identified by X-ray diffraction. Domains and their evolution by heating from room temperature to 150 ◦C were observed under a polarized light microscope. The phase transition from the ferroelectric phase to the paraelectric phase was determined by dielectric spectra and polarized light microscopy. A precursor/intermediate phase exhibiting pinched hysteresis loops was displayed above the Curie temperature, which originates from some polar region embedded in the non-polar matrix. The coexistence of the ferroelectric and antiferroelectric domains leads to peculiarities of the phase transitions, such as a lower Curie temperature compared with PLN and PT. The studies of the phase evolution of PLN-PT with low PT single crystal is a supplementary amendment of the PLN-PT phase diagram as previously reported.