Nanocomposite PLZT ceramic materials in comparison with other processing technique for photostrictive application

Abstract

The performance of photostrictive materials can be enhanced by controlling the materials and microstructural characteristics through processing methods, ceramic composition and dopant type/content. In this paper the influence of ceramic processing methods on microstructure and photostrictive responses of Lanthanum modified Lead Zirconate Titanate (PLZT) ceramics have been investigated. Here we have investigated the recent technique of nanocomposite processing which showed good potential for the fabrication of photostrictive materials with enhanced properties. A significant enhancement of photovoltage and photocurrent which led to higher energy conversion ratio has been observed with decreasing grain size of PLZT ceramics with various processing techniques.