Relaxor ferroelectric characteristics and temperature-dependent domain structure in a (110)-cut (Pb Mg1/3 Nb2/3 O3) 0.75 (PbTi O3) 0.25 single crystal

Relaxor ferroelectric characteristics of (110)-cut (Pb Mg1/3 Nb2/3 O3) 0.75 (PbTi O3) 0.25 single crystal has been revealed by temperature-dependent hysteresis loops and dielectric permittivities measurements. Ferroelectric domain structure and evolution in the as-grown and the poled samples have also been studied by means of temperature-dependent piezoresponse force microscopy. The result from the as-grown single crystal reveals that the microdomain size distribution follows an exponential cutoff, and the crystal exhibits a transition from ferroelectric microdomain to paraelectric phase upon heating; while being cooled back to room temperature, new microdomains are rebuilt. By contrast, lamellar-shaped macrodomains have been observed in the poled sample and transitions from macro- to microdomain structures at 90°C and from microdomain structure to paraelectric phase at 115°C have been observed upon heating, respectively.