Competition effects of grain boundary and aging on the hysteresis loop behavior of (Ba_0.8Sr_0.2)(Ti, Mn)O₃ ceramics

Hysteresis loop is very important for the application of ferroelectric ceramics. Here the competition effects of grain boundary and aging on the hysteresis loop behavior of Mn doped (Ba_0.8Sr_0.2)TiO₃ ceramics were studied. The results show that a double hysteresis loop appears after aging. Nevertheless, P_max of small grained ceramics decreased clearly but P_r decreased little with aging time increases; large grained ceramics have the opposite result. Such difference is caused by the competition effect on their domain switching behavior, from aging-induced time-dependent internal defect field and grain boundary generated time-independent back field. This study may provide help on the control of hysteresis loop by grain size and aging.