Microstructure-property relations in tungsten bronze lead barium niobate, Pb_1-xBa_xNb₂O₆

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been used to explore details of the structural phase transitions and corresponding microstructural features in the solid solution of Pb_1-xBa_xNb₂O₆ (PBN) tungsten bronze ferroelectrics at compositions embracing the morphotropic phase boundary between orthorhombic and tetragonal ferroelectric phases. In addition to the ferroelectric domain structures that were consistent with the expected symmetries, incommensurate ferroelastic phases were observed. The “onset” and “lock-in” transition temperatures are a function of the Pb/Ba ratio, and for lead-rich compositions it appears that the incommensurate distortion may occur above the ferroelectric Curie temperature in the paraelectric phase.