The Effects of A-site Doping on Crystal Structure, Microstructure and Electrical Properties of (Ba<inf>0.85</inf>Ca<inf>0.15</inf>) Zr<inf>0.1</inf>Ti<inf>0.9</inf>O<inf>3</inf> Ceramics

Abstract

(Ba0.85Ca0.15) Zr0.1Ti0.9O3 (BCZT) ceramics with donor (La3+ and Bi3+ ions) and acceptor (Na+ ions) doping at the A-site were fabricated in this study. The effects of crystal structure, microstructure, and chemical defects on all samples’ dielectric properties and piezoelectric coefficient (d33) were observed. Bi3+ ions decreased grain size, decreased phase transition temperature, and caused the diffuse dielectric spectrum, resulting in a low d33 value. Na+ ions induced abnormal grain growth, leading to enhancement in maximum dielectric constant; meanwhile, the phase transition temperature increased. The d33 value of Na-doped BCZT was comparable with BCZT ceramic. The addition of La3+ ions increased the phase transition temperature and decreased grain size. The d33 value of La-doped BCZT was lower than BCZT ceramic. The result suggested that BCZT, BCZT-Na, and BCZT-La ceramics could be alternative materials for piezoelectric energy harvesting devices.