Relaxor behavior and superior ferroelectricity of Y2O3-doped (Ba0.98Ca0.02) (Ti0.94Sn0.04Zr0.02)O3 lead-free ceramics

To upgrade the electric properties of lead-free piezoceramics, (1–x)(Ba_0.98Ca_0.02Ti_0.94Sn_0.04Zr_0.02)O₃-xY₂O₃ (abbreviated as (1–x)BCTSZ-xY, x = 0 mol%, 0.02 mol%, 0.04 mol%, 0.06 mol%, 0.08 mol% and 0.1 mol%) ceramics were successfully synthesized by traditional solid-state sintering method. The phase structure and microstructure of ceramics were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and piezoresponse force microscopyeramics (PFM). The electric properties of ceramics were researched through piezoelectric, dielectric and ferroelectric test instruments. The results show that all samples have pure perovskite structure and favorable electric properties. The optimal electric properties which especially include superior ferroelectric properties are gained when Y₂O₃ content is 0.06 mol% (d₃₃ = 419 pC/N, k_p = 52%, T_c = 89.5 °C, ε_r = 26900, tanδ = 2.86%, P_r = 14.41 μC/cm², E_c = 1.8 kV/cm). Moreover, the temperature-dependent dielectricity of samples shows apparent relaxor behavior under different frequencies. The Curie–Weiss law further proves that all samples are typical relaxor ferroelectrics, and the relaxor degree of samples decreases with increase of Y₂O₃ content. In conclusion, Y₂O₃ plays a significant role in enhancing electric properties of BCTSZ ceramics.