A study of piezoelectric properties of (Ba < inf > 0.85 < /inf > Ca < inf > 0.15 < /inf > )(Zr < inf > 0.9 < /inf > Ti < inf > 0.1 < /inf > )O < inf > 3 < /inf > ceramics synthesized by sol-gel process

Abstract

Lead free piezoelectric ceramics 'Barium calcium zirconium titanate (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Zr0.9Ti0.1)O 3 have been prepared by sol-gel synthesis method. The structure and piezoelectric properties were investigated for the given BCZT system. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) studies confirmed the formation of single phase BCZT nanoparticles ( < 50nm). The calcined and compacted powders sintered at 1550°C resulted in a complete perovskite structure. BCZT sample showed a high remnant polarization of 11.55 μC/cm 2 and a low coercive field (Ec) of 0.166 kV/cm. A high piezoelectric co-efficient of d33∼490 pC/N was obtained for the electrically poled sample. The study of microstructure on its piezoelectric properties of BCZT ceramics is discussed in this paper. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.