Structural Evolution, Dielectric Studies and Energy Storage Performance of Barium Calcium Zirconium Titanate Ceramic Synthesized by Solid State Reaction Method

Abstract

In the present day the increasing demand of environmental protection and human health concerns are motivating the researchers to develop lead-free ceramics for various applications. Barium Calcium Zirconium Titanate (BCZT) is a leadfree ceramic which is recently studied for energy storage applications. The present work demonstrates the structural, micro structural and electrical behavior of BCZT perovskite ceramic. The BCZT ceramic with chemical composition Ba0.85Ca0.15Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 is prepared by the high temperature solid state diffusion method. A phase pure polycrystalline compound is obtained after calcination at 1300℃. The phase formation is confirmed by X ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopic studies which confirm the tetragonal phase of the crystals. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image indicates the formation of well- developed grains having grain size of 3.3 μm. The electrical behavior of the prepared sample is studied and discussed in terms of dielectric and ferroelectric properties. The dielectric study of BCZT showed normal phase transition behavior from ferroelectric to paraelectric phase at 83℃. The diffusivity analysis was used for better comprehension of the electrical processes in the materials. The ferroelectric hysteresis loops were obtained at different temperatures and voltages. The energy storage efficiency of the ceramic was increasing with temperature and the maximum efficiency was 44.3% at 125℃ for an electric field of 15kV/cm.