Domain switching energies: Mechanical versus electrical loading in La-doped bismuth ferrite–lead titanate

The mechanical stress-induced domain switching and energy dissipation in morphotropic phase boundary (1−x)(Bi1 − yLay)FeO3–xPbTiO3 during uniaxial compressive loading have been investigated at three different temperatures. The strain obtained was found to decrease with increasing lanthanum content, although a sharp increase in strain was observed for compositions doped with 7.5 and 10 at. % La. Increased domain switching was found in compositions with decreased tetragonality. This is discussed in terms of the competing influences of the amount of domain switching and the spontaneous strain on the macroscopic behavior under external fields. Comparison of the mechanically and electrically dissipated energy showed significant differences, discussed in terms of the different microscopic interactions of electric field and stress.