Possible coexistence of rotational and ferroelectric lattice distortions in rhombohedral PbZr_xTi_1-xO₃

The competitions between ferroelectric and rotational instabilities in rhombohedral PbZr_xTi_1-xO₃ near x=0.5 are investigated using first-principles density-functional supercell calculations. As expected, we find a strong ferroelectric instability. However, we also find a substantial R-point rotational instability, close to but not as deep as the ferroelectric one. This is similar to the situation in pure PbZrO₃. These two instabilities are both strongly pressure dependent, but in opposite directions so that lattice compression of less than 1% is sufficient to change their ordering. Because of this, and local stress fields due to B-site cation disorder may lead to coexistence of both types of instability are likely present in the alloy near the morphotropic phase boundary.