Top seeded solution growth and characterization of piezo-/ferroelectric (1-x)Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-xPbTiO₃ single crystals

Single crystals of relaxor ferroelectric-based (1-x)Pb(Zn_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃-xPbTiO₃ [or PZNT(1-x)/x] solid solution system (with x=4.5%, 6%, 7%, 10%, 12% and 15%) have been grown from PbO flux by a top seeded solution growth (TSSG) technique. The saturation-growth temperature (T_s) and the appropriate cooling rate (0.5-1°C/h) at T_s were determined for each composition. T_s indicates the temperature at which a seed crystal can effectively grow from the flux. Under optimum conditions with a solute/solvent ratio PZNT/PbO=1:1 (in weight), or a 50wt% of flux ratio, perovskite PZN-PT crystal boules of 35mm diameter and 14mm height were successfully grown using a crucible of 50ml (∅=40mm). The dielectric and ferroelectric properties of the grown crystals were characterized and the crystal quality assessed. The TSSG technique developed in this work provides an alternative route to the growth of medium to large size PZN-PT crystals for a wide range of applications in electro-mechanical transduction.