Enhanced d33 value of Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-(Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Ti0.90Zr0.10)O3 lead-free ceramics

(1-x)Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3-x(Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Ti0.90Zr0.10)O-3 [(1-x)BNT-xBCTZ] lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by a conventional solid reaction method. A stable solid solution is well formed between BNT and BCTZ. The er increases, and the T-m, T-d, and the density slightly decrease with increasing BCTZ content. Moreover, the d(33) value of (1 x)BNT-xBCTZ ceramics with x = 0.06 demonstrates a temperature independence and a poling electric field dependence. (1 - x)BNT-xBCTZ ceramics with x = 0.06 exhibit an optimum electrical behavior: d(33) similar to 158 pC/N, k(p) similar to 31.2%, and epsilon(r) similar to 1165, which is much better than that of pure BNT ceramic. As a result, (1 - x)BNT-xBCTZ ceramics are a promising candidate material for the piezoelectric device. (C 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.