Synthesis and characterization of Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 relaxor ferroelectrics modified by Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3

0.05Ba(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–(0.95−x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–xPbTiO3 [0.05BMN–(0.95−x)PMN–xPT] relaxor ferroelectrics have been synthesized by solid-state reaction. Phase structure and microstructure were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Dielectricity, piezoelectricity and ferroelectricity were also investigated. A partial phase diagram for this system was established based on the X-ray diffraction and dielectric measurements. A morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) area was identified within the composition range of x=0.33–0.36. A maximum d33=585 pC/N could be obtained in 0.05BMN–0.60PMN–0.35PT. With increasing PT content, the behavior of as-prepared ceramics gradually shifts from relaxor to normal ferroelectrics. This pseudo-ternary system also possesses an enhanced ferroelectricity compared to BMN–PT and BZN–PT.