Effect of Rare Earth (Sm) ion Substitution on Structural, Dielectric, and Transport Properties of PZT Ceramics

Solid solutions of Pb_ (1-x) Sm_x (Zr_0.4 Ti_0.6) _ (1-x/4) O_3 (PSZT) (x = 0.00, 0.04, 0.08 and 0.12) were synthesized by mixed oxide method at high temperature. The formation of single phase compounds were confirmed by X- ray diffraction studies which were found to be in tetragonal phase at room temperature. The temperature dependence of dielectric response of the samples at selected frequencies has exhibit their phase transition well above the room temperature. The variation of ac conductivity with temperature reveals that their conduction process is of mixed type.