Effects of ferroelectric switching on the dielectric and ferroelectric properties in lead zirconate titanate ceramics and their modeling

Effects of ferroelectric switching on dielectric and ferroelectric properties in lead zirconate titanate ceramics are investigated. Ferroelectric switching induces rejuvenation of weak field dielectric constant, K, and ferroelectric polarization, P, initially through the ac field deaging effect, and then induces accelerated decrease in K and P through the ferroelectric fatigue effect. ‘‘On shelf’’ aging of K, ferroelectric switching induced decrease of K, ac field deaging induced augmentation in K and P, and ferroelectric polarization fatigue are illustrated and intercompared. The experimental results are modeled and explained by the phenomenological principles and atomistic mechanisms for the participation of domain walls and bulk polarization in on shelf aging, ac field deaging, and ferroelectric fatigue effects.