Abstract
The thermodynamic properties of lead-based complex perovskite relaxors are reviewed. The heat capacity anomaly of typical lead-based complex perovskite relaxors Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 and Pb(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3 found in a very wide temperature range around room temperature is discussed in terms of the formation and growth of ferroelectric nanoregions in a paraelectric matrix. The ferroelectric phase transition behavior of Pb(Sc1/2Ta1/2)O3 is also systematically studied with respect to changes in the degree of B-site cation ordering.
