Enhanced ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties in SnO2 modified Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 lead-free ceramics

Lead-free piezoelectric ceramic (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.9)O-3 + xSnO(2) (BCZT + xSnO(2), for short) (x = 0, 0.004, 0.008, 0.012 and 0.016) system with remarkable electrical properties was prepared via the solid state reaction method. The roles of SnO2 addition on the structural and electrical properties were investigated. X-ray diffraction showed that the perovskite structure was formed in all components. SEM images indicated that the addition of SnO2 promoted grain growth in BCZT + xSnO(2) ceramics. Dielectric measurement revealed that the temperature of orthorhombic-tetragonal phase transition moved towards to higher temperature, while the temperature of tetragonal-cubic moved to lower temperature for the sample. The variation degree of temperature has a close relationship with the SnO2 concentration. The outstanding electrical properties was obtained (P-r = 8.98 mu C/cm(2), E-c = 1.21 kV/cm, d(33) = 656 pC/N, and strain = 0.090 %) with the sample of x = 0.012. The enhanced properties indicated that the (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.9)O-3 + xSnO(2) ceramics are promising for lead-free practical applications. (C) 2020 The Ceramic Society of Japan. All rights reserved.