Two-Step Sintering, Microstructure and Electrical Properties of (Ba, Ca)(Ti, Zr)O3 Lead-Free Ceramics

In this work, the (Ba1-xCax)(Ti1-yZry)O3 lead-free ceramics were prepared by the two-step sintering method, and effects of Ca and Zr contents on phase structure, densification, microstructure, and electrical properties were investigated. It was found that all samples showed orthorhombic phase. The highest density of 5.84 ± 0.01 g/cm3 was achieved in x = 0.05, y = 0.05 sample. The average grain size, phase transition temperature, dielectric and piezoelectric properties significantly decreased by introducing of the Ca/Zr content. The ceramics with a small amount of Ca and Zr maintain good piezoelectric properties, and a lower dielectric loss. The composition with x = 0.05, y = 0.025 demonstrated optimum electrical properties of d33 ∼211 pC/N, TC ∼ 119 °C, εr ∼ 1788, and tanδ ∼ 0.04.