Growth and characterization of PINT ferroelectric single crystals by flux method

Relaxor-based ferroelectric single crystals of lead indium niobate titanate (Pb(In_1/2Nb_1/2)_0.63Ti_0.37 O₃, abbreviated as PINT), in the vicinity of the morphotropic phase boundary, were prepared by a flux method. The additive of the flux, Pb₃O₄ and PbF₂, play different role in perovskite stability and phase development. Thus, pure perovskite single crystals with the size of 5 mm were obtained by using Pb₃O₄ flux as well as a small amount of B₂O₃. The microstructure and the phase development of the as-grown single crystals were investigated by scanning electronic microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, the dielectric properties of the <100> oriented single crystal were measured.