Domain Switching Dynamics in Relaxor PNN–PZT Ceramics With Nano-Domain Morphology

The dynamic behavior of domain switching and hysteresis characteristics remain critical considerations for ferroelectric materials. Investigations in this area are of substantial importance for the physical understanding and emerging applications of ferroelectrics. This study investigates the domain switching dynamics in Pb(Ni_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–PbZrO₃–PbTiO₃ (PNN–PZT) ceramics by comparing domain switching hysteresis behavior of the non-textured samples to the textured ones. The scaling relations of hysteresis area <A> with respective to electric field E₀ and frequency f can be expressed as <A>∝f^αE₀^β. The results indicate that the introduction of templates suppresses domain switching under low electric field and high-frequency conditions owing to the clamping effect induced by interfacial stresses between templates and the matrix. Furthermore, a relaxation model for polarization reversal and domain switching is employed to clarify the physical mechanism of <A>-f dependence by considering the domain morphology of the ceramics. The findings suggest that the dispersed nano-domain morphology within PNN–PZT ceramics results in a flatter relaxation function distribution, thereby enhancing domain switching response concerning f. This study not only provides a deep understanding of domain switching dynamics in ferroelectric materials but also gives important inspiration for the design of ferroelectric ceramics with high performance.