Influence of Lattice Strain on Phase Transition and Piezoelectric Properties of Lead-Free (Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)(Zr_0.1Ti_0.9)O₃ Ceramics

Abstract

Substitution in A or/and B sites of the perovskite lattice, or strain engineering is known to influence the properties of piezoelectric ceramics. Cerium (Ce) has been identified as a substituent to investigate the properties of lead-free (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.1Ti0.9)O3 (BCZT) ceramics. Structural, ferroelectric, piezoelectric and dielectric properties of Ce substituted BCZT ceramics were investigated systematically and were correlated with the strain induced structural phase transition. Ce substituted for Ti in BCZT ceramics showed coexistence and larger phase fractions of tetragonal and rhombohedral phases and exhibited enhanced piezoelectric and dielectric responses, d33 ∼703 pC/N, g33 ∼16 mV.m/N, kp ∼61% and Tc∼ 123°C.