Understanding the impact of Gd3+ substitutions on the enhancement of dielectric and electrical behaviour of lead-free Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 ceramics

The present study focuses on the effect of Gadolinium (Gd3+) concentration on the lead-free Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 (BCZT) ceramics synthesised using conventional solid-state reaction method at high temperature (∼1300°C). Introducing Gd3+ to the BCZT system influences the properties of the materials. All the compounds were crystallised in tetragonal structure at room temperature. The microstructural study of the compounds has been obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The frequency and temperature dependent dielectric properties were analysed. The diffusivity of the compounds was investigated using modified Curie-Weiss law. Impedance spectroscopy have been employed for the study of the electrical conduction mechanism. All the compounds display negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR)-type behaviour which indicates its semiconducting characteristic. The existence of non-Debye type relaxation is shown from Nyquist plots. All the synthesised ceramics show enhanced electrical properties which may be utilised in electronic device manufacturing.