Effect of External Fields on the Switching Current in (Ba0.97Ca0.03) (Zr0.18-Ti0.82) O3 Ceramics

Lead-free (Ba0.97Ca0.03) (Zr0.18Ti0.82) O-3 (BCZT) ceramic is prepared by sol-gel technique. The sample shows a pure perovskite structure through the XRD pattern. Well-developed grain morphology and a dense microstructure are acquired at an optimistic sintering temperature(similar to 1330 degrees C). The BCZT ceramic shows a surprisingly high piezoelectric coefficient of d(33)=675 pm/V. The switching current curves are acquired in the different external fields by TF-2000 Ferroelectric Analyzer. It is found that with increasing the temperature, there is a decrease in the coercive field (Ec), and with increasing the electric field, there is an increase in the switching current obviously. Sintering temperature has an effect on switching current. The effect of temperature and electrical field on switching current is analyzed from viewpoint of the energy.