Relaxor properties of Ba0.9Bi0.067(Ti1−xZrx)O3 ceramics

Starting from the well-known ferroelectric material BaTiO3, we show that coupled substitutions at the Ba and Ti cationic sites are able to improve the material properties. The compositions Ba0.9Bi0.067(Ti1−xZrx)O3 display a relaxor behaviour close to room temperature which open the way for possible use of it for capacitor applications. The origin of such optimization is related to the Bi cations which share similar electronic structure with Pb without raising environmental concerns related to the volatility of PbO. In addition, we have found a very peculiar transition sequence in this compound from paraelectric to ferroelectric and then to relaxor on cooling.