Enhancement of the dielectric,piezoelectric, and ferroelectric properties in BiYbO3-modified (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 lead-free ceramics

Lead-free (1−x)(Ba_0.85Ca_0.15)(Ti_0.9Zr_0.1)O₃−xBiYbO₃ (1−x)BCTZ−xBYO] piezoelectric ceramics in the range of BYO concentrations were prepared by the conventional oxide-mixed method, and the effect of BYO content on their microstructure, crystalline structure, density and electrical properties was investigated. A dense microstructure with large grain was obtained for the ceramics with the addition of BYO. The ceramics with x=0.1% exhibit an optimum electrical behavior of d₃₃~580 pC/N, r~10.9 Ω, k_p~56.4%, and tan δ~1.12% when sintered at a low temperature of ~1350 °C. When the measuring electric field is 40 kV/cm, the well-saturated and square-like P–E loops for the ceramics were observed with P_r~12.2 μC/cm² and E_c~1.83 kV/cm.