Piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of zirconium substituted barium titanate ferroelectric ceramics

In present study, Piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties of zirconium substituted barium titanate compositions (BaZr (x) Ti1-x O-3) (x = 0-0.1) have been investigated, as Zr+4 possesses more chemical stability than Ti+4 ions. The grain size increases from 0.55 mu m for x = 0.0-3.2 mu m for x = 0.025 and 6.15 mu m for x = 0.05. With further Zr substitution, grain size decreases to 0.5 mu m for x = 0.075 and 0.33 mu m for x = 0.1. With increase in sintering temperature from 1,200 to 1,300 A degrees C, the piezoelectric coefficient of BaZr0.025Ti0.975O3 increases from 40.1 to 189.2 pC/N and this is correlated to the type of domain structures. Zr content influences grain size and domain structures leading to an appreciable change in dielectric constant as well as piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties. The value of pyroelectric coefficients increases from 72.23 mu C/m(2) A degrees C for x = 0.0-5,984.095 mu C/m(2) A degrees C for x = 0.025 and decreases to 2,719.68 mu C/m(2) A degrees C for x = 0.05 and 5.96 mu C/m(2) A degrees C for x = 0.1. The value of figure of merit of x = 0.025 i.e. 1.22 proves its better suitability for infrared detectors.