Revealing the role of the constant phase element in relaxor ferroelectrics

Relaxor ferroelectrics exhibit both static and dynamic local structural order which controls their frequency-dependent electrical properties. A combination of advanced scattering and microscopy techniques have been used recently to determine the local structure of relaxors. To complement these, here we show an approach to electrical property measurements which identifies local dipoles whose switching is co-operative, temperature-dependent and responsible for the observed dispersion in dielectric properties. Impedance measurements and equivalent circuit analysis of a canonical relaxor, Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 single crystal, over the ranges 180–1050 K and 100 Hz–1 MHz, show that incorporation of a single constant phase element into the equivalent circuit used to fit experimental data is able to account fully for the dispersions that characterise the relaxor response, over this frequency range. This allows parametrisation of the relaxor behaviour, gives increased understanding of the relaxation mechanisms responsible and forms the basis for modifying and controlling relaxor characteristics.

Recent developments on the realization of fractance device

A detailed analysis of the recent developments on the realization of fractance device is presented. A fractance device which is used to exhibit fractional order impedance properties finds applications in many branches of science and engineering. Realization of fractance device is a challenging job for the people working in this area. A term fractional order element, constant phase element, fractor, fractance, fractional order differintegrator, fractional order differentiator can be used interchangeably. In general, a fractance device can be realized in two ways. One is using rational approximations and the other is using capacitor physical realization principle. In this paper, an attempt is made to summarize the recent developments on the realization of fractance device. The various mathematical approximations are studied and a comparative analysis is also performed using MATLAB. Fourth order approximation is selected for the realization. The passive and active networks synthesized are simulated using TINA software. Various physical realizations of fractance device, their advantages and disadvantages are mentioned. Experimental results coincide with simulated results.

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Behavior of Aluminum Alloys 2024 and 6061 in Rainwater

In the present work the electrochemical resistance spectroscopy behavior of aluminum alloy 2024 and 6061 in rainwater, was studied before and after solution heat treatment at room temperature (25 ° C). If the resistance decreases, the corrosion becomes faster, and vice versa. The equivalent circuits was of type Constant Phase Element (CPE) and the highest resistance value gets for alloy 2024 aged at 250 ° C for 2 hours, and the highest resistance value was for alloy 6061 aged at 250 ° C for 1 hour. As for the values ​​of capacitance, the highest amplitude value was for alloy 2024 aged at 300 ° C for two hours, and the highest value gets for capacity for alloy 6061 aged at 150 ° C for two hours.

Simple circuit equivalents for the constant phase element

The constant phase element (CPE) is a capacitive element with a frequency-independent negative phase between current and voltage which interpolates between a capacitor and a resistor. It is used extensively to model the complexity of the physics in e.g. the bioimpedance and electrochemistry fields. There is also a similar element with a positive phase angle, and both the capacitive and inductive CPEs are members of the family of fractional circuit elements or fractance. The physical meaning of the CPE is only partially understood and many consider it an idealized circuit element. The goal here is to provide alternative equivalent circuits, which may give rise to better interpretations of the fractance. Both the capacitive and the inductive CPEs can be interpreted in the time-domain, where the impulse and step responses are temporal power laws. Here we show that the current impulse responses of the capacitive CPE is the same as that of a simple time-varying series RL-circuit where the inductor’s value increases linearly with time. Similarly, the voltage response of the inductive CPE corresponds to that of a simple parallel RC circuit where the capacitor’s value increases linearly with time. We use the Micro-Cap circuit simulation program, which can handle time-varying circuits, for independent verification. The simulation corresponds exactly to the expected response from the proposed equivalents within 0.1% error. The realization with time-varying components correlates with known time-varying properties in applications, and may lead to a better understanding of the link between CPE and applications.

Realization of a fractional-order RLC circuit via constant phase element

In the paper, a fractional-order RLC circuit is presented. The circuit is realized by using a fractional-order capacitor. This is realized by using carbon black dispersed in a polymeric matrix. Simulation results are compared with the experimental data, confirming the suitability of applying this new device in the circuital implementation of fractional-order systems.

Double layer capacitances analysed with impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry: validity and limits of the constant phase element parameterization

At small amplitudes, the equilibrium positions of the ions are changed. High amplitudes lead to a drastic distortion of the ion arrangement in the double layer, increasing the capacitance and asymmetric ion movements.